University of Michigan Museum of Natural History — Attraction in Ann Arbor

I had a very good experience here as a young person. If you are feeling inspired to see some science then this is the place for you. I've been here multiple times and it is very interactive and it is a good place for older children, (averaged) puberty-aged, and teens. Little kids could enjoy it but I think that it is good to say that it is a place that older people and kids would enjoy better. Here are my opinions on the museum and my experience. Vocab: intelligible - able to be understood; comprehensible moot - subject to debate, dispute, or uncertainty scrupulous - (of a person or process) diligent, thorough, and extremely attentive to details Nice Staff and Employees: The staff and employees in this place are very nice and friendly. They are trustworthy and my mother had no problem with them. Understandable Science: The science showcases were really understandable and intelligible. I think it's great for older learners of science since it covers topics that you may learn in 7th grade and above and maybe a bit of 6th grade depending on your (home)/school's curriculum since topics such as genetics and theories of which I believe are untrue but lets not get too moot right now. The museum would actually be great for a school field trip since it correlates with the topics taught in middle and maybe high school which I have not reached yet. Modern Interior and Design: If you know me personally at this time, you know I am heavily scrupulous when it comes to interior and a space's design. If you are planning on starting or thinking of a school, museum, or any sort of building then I suggest coming here. It is modern and the information is well organized. It is a very unique place for us citizens of Michigan. (of course 8th graders. We are all citizens of the US and not our own individual states.) It is special to us since it's not so common to see modern spaces up north so it really stands out. Science & Information: It gives really good information you could learn from. Genetics, theories/experiments, biology, marine biology, geology, objects from space, dinosaurs, and embryology are the main topics in the building. My summary overall is that it is a great place for people with an imagination, ideas, and wonder. It is the dream place for people searching for a modern space or are design nerds like I. If you have older kids who are struggling to find a place appropriate for their age to enjoy, then bring them here. This may be a place worth coming too again. Fun Fact: Science museums have some of the largest collections of science, engineering, and math objects and exhibits. These exhibits can include the discovery of the light bulb and the...

I went to this museum with the intention to enjoy myself and scout it out for visits with my family, friends and schools I work with. We will still go, however, the museum was a disappointment.

The building is pretty. The interior is mostly empty space. The triangular atrium features skeletons of two sea creatures hanging from strings and a model of the largest flying dinosaur or pterosaur found to date.

I was sorry to see that the glass windows that allow people to view into the laboratories were becoming discolored or had moisture trapped or whatever it was - the intent was not the result. There was also a sign warning people not take pictures of the lab - not to tap on the glass, et cetera. If there is something going on in that arena that should not be interrupted then it needs to be done elsewhere. I attended similar displays in North Carolina and the portion set aside for demonstration dealt with one item or subject and it was very interactive.

The displays were haphazard. Especially the Michigan one. There are the displays of stuffed animals from the old museum which seem to have just been moved without refreshing. The muskrat with the crushed head was amazing because I have a photo of it in that state from about ten years ago.

Then there was the changing exhibit. It struck me as something of pseudo science. There were 3D images of blue corn kernels in a jar, a crocodile or alligator with a twisted jaw and the incredible gigantic image of copulating mice. This image was recurring as there was also another recreation of the copulating mice and finally - the copulating mice themselves! They were dead and stuffed, of course, but, let me tell you, that would need some explaining to children whose parents were not warned of some goofy pretense of science like that.

I don't know what was going on in the gift shop. I didn't visit. I looked inside and there was a sign that said only 10 people could enter at once. Two volunteers were deep in conversation. They seemed excited and I couldn't help thinking that they were looking forward to the new 3-D printed copulating mice hoodies with matching salt and pepper shakers made in the shape of the mice - one of which happened to be white and the other black.

The presentation is overwrought and the content is negligible. The massive collection and it's outdated presentation, even with flaws explained, was far superior to what has been created there. I suggest you go and see it as an example of what a science museum...

There are certainly things to love about the UMMNH: free admission, especially to a natural history museum, is always appreciated; the regional focus (both on Michigan and on the University) is well-executed; and the intro video played at the Science Forum is very good.

My overall experience, however, is a bit underwhelming. Galleries feel detached from one another (they do have clear signage, so navigation isn't a problem). Also, despite situating in a new home, the exhibits are more or less old-schooled: interpretive labels are text-heavy (not necessarily a minus point), and lighting is not great. On the other hand, there is no lack of interactive technology - it scatters throughout but is of varying quality: the "Tree of Life" impressively shows the diversity of life forms on Earth, whereas the epigenetics mouse-touching game in "Under the Microscope" must be the most boring game I've played in a long while. Additionally, some media features don't come with earphones (imagine you are reading a label and another visitor begins to play a narrated video nearby) and seating in front of them.

When speaking of natural history, most people may think of biodiversity and ecology. There's nothing wrong about that. But many natural history museums also house archaeological and ethnological collections. While I don't expect every natural history museum to have exhibits on these branches of anthropology, I do think that it would be great for the UMMNH to have at least one such exhibit (maybe dedicated to the native peoples of Michigan), especially given the fact that the Museum of Anthropological Archaeology doesn't have its own museum-level exhibition space. By the way, the "People and the Planet" exhibition on the lower level does have several interesting cultural artifacts on display.

When I was half way through "Evolution: Life Through Time", I saw a bridge that connects to the other side of the building (where "Under the Microscope" is). I went closer to get a better look, only to find it blocked by a pair of doors on which a sign read "staff, students and researchers only." I may well be over-interpreting here, but to me that is a sign of what this new building is all about: it is university research facility first, and natural history museum second. Personally, I think it obstructs the Museum to reach its...