"Now more than ever, the world needs the truth, creativity, and inspiration that museums provide." We're wrapping up the 12 Days of Christmas: Museum Education Edition with a heartfelt reflection on the importance of museum education. In this final episode of 2024, I share my gratitude for the museum educator community and excitement for what lies ahead in 2025. Join us as we celebrate the impact of museum education and look ahead to a year of growth, innovation, and meaningful connections. Thank you for being part of this amazing community! Let’s make 2025 the best year yet. For consulting inquiries or professional development opportunities, reach out via modernmuseumeducation.com. Stay tuned for more updates and resources in the new year! For full show notes and a transcript, visit https://modernmuseumeducation.com/podcast/020.

In this penultimate episode of the 12 Days of Christmas Museum Education Edition, we dive into a deeply resonant topic for museum educators: finding and sustaining joy in your career. Whether you're thriving or just surviving, this episode offers actionable strategies to help you reconnect with your passion, create balance, and innovate in your work. From rediscovering the spark that brought you to museum education to building meaningful connections and setting boundaries, discover insights and practical advice to help you start the new year on a positive note. Find full show notes and a transcript at https://modernmuseumeducation.com/podcast/019.

"Volunteers want to feel like they're contributing something meaningful, not just completing a task."Welcome back to the 12 Days of Christmas Museum Education Edition, a special podcast series designed to give museum educators actionable tips and research-backed strategies to elevate their programs for 2025. In today’s episode, we’re focusing on volunteer recognition programs—a cornerstone of many museum operations. Volunteers are often the unsung heroes of museum life, providing support for tours, events, and so much more. But as we move into a new year, it’s time to rethink how we inspire, reward, and retain our volunteers to create meaningful, long-term relationships. This episode will inspire you to take your volunteer recognition efforts from transactional to transformative! Find full show notes and a transcript at https://modernmuseumeducation.com/podcast/018

“Your perspective is valuable. Whether your first presentation is big or small, it’s a chance to contribute and inspire others in the museum field.” In today’s episode we explore a topic that might feel intimidating to many but is incredibly rewarding: presenting at professional conferences. Sharing your knowledge and experiences with peers can be a transformative step in your professional journey, and Rachel is here to guide you through it! Whether you’re new to presenting or just need a little push, this episode is packed with actionable tips and heartfelt encouragement to help you take the leap. Rachel shares her personal journey, advice for starting small, and practical tips for planning, practicing, and engaging your audience. For full show notes and a transcript, visit https://modernmuseumeducation.com/podcast/017

Welcome back to the 12 Days of Christmas: Museum Education Edition! In this episode, we explore the transformative power of human-centered design in creating museum programs that truly resonate with visitors. Whether you're designing for school groups, families, or adult learners, this approach puts people at the center, ensuring relevance, meaning, and engagement for all.Human centered design is not just for physical spaces! Use this technique to identify visitor needs, encourage collaboration, and refine your programs based on real-time feedback. Find the full show notes and a transcript at https://modernmuseumeducation.com/podcast/016

Welcome back to the 12 Days of Christmas: Museum Education Edition! Today’s episode dives into fostering creativity and originality in museum education programs, inspired by Adam Grant’s book, *Originals*. Listen to learn key insights about the innovative nature of museum education and how museum educators are the prime candidates for fostering originality and innovation! Discover how to create a culture of creativity and find out why iteration is the key to success in museum education programming! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review or share it with a colleague. Join me tomorrow for Day 8 of the 12 Days of Christmas!Full show notes and transcript can be found at https://modernmuseumeducation.com/podcast/015

Today’s episode dives into the transformative power of systems thinking and its application to the wicked problems we face in museum education. Learn how this innovative mindset can help you approach complex challenges with clarity, adaptability, and creativity. In this episode, you'll discover what wicked problems are how systems thinking can help you solve wicked problems a real-world example of a wicked problem in museum education why systems thinking, and its emphasis on perspective-taking, can make a big difference for your museum education work Find full show note and a transcript at https://modernmuseumeducation.com/podcast/014.

In today’s episode, Rachel dives into the art of knowing when—and how—to refresh long-standing museum education programs. Whether it’s your department’s signature offering or a seasonal favorite, keeping programs relevant and engaging requires intentional reflection, strategic updates, and community input. Key Takeaways: Recognize the Need for a Refresh Use Data as a Guide, Not a Judgement Balance Tradition with Innovation Engage Your Community Document the Process Frame Change as Growth, Not Failure Key Quotes “If you can do a program in your sleep, that’s not the energy you want to bring to an audience.” “Don’t let your numbers define you, but don’t run from them either." "Every ending is the beginning of something new. Embrace change and take your programs from good to great.” Find full show notes and a transcript at https://modernmuseumeducation.com/podcast/013

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating history of museum advocacy and policy in the United States. From the founding of the Smithsonian Institution in 1846 to the creation of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in 1996, we'll unpacks key moments in the relationship between museums and federal policymaking. If you’re curious about the roots of museum policy and its implications for advocacy, this bite-sized history lesson will deepen your understanding.Discover: The founding of the Smithsonian Institution and its unique origin story. The ambivalence of the federal government’s role in museum funding and cultural heritage. The impact of the 1969 Belmont Report on museum advocacy and public education. The evolution of the Museum Services Act into today’s IMLS. The concept of museum funding as a "wicked problem" with no perfect solutions. Key Takeaways: The relationship between museums and public education, a cornerstone of museum advocacy, has policy roots dating back to 1969. The 2025 reauthorization of IMLS funding is approaching. Museum educators and professionals should start preparing their advocacy strategies now. Advocacy Day with the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) is in February—research your state’s advocacy efforts and get involved!

Welcome back to the Modern Museum Education Podcast! Today is Day 3 of the 12 Days of Christmas Museum Education Edition, a special holiday series packed with actionable tips to elevate your museum education programs. In this episode, we dive into the art of creating magnetic marketing copy that turns potential audiences into engaged participants. In this episode, you'll learn how to: Write enticing program descriptions that grab attention and convey value. Use action-oriented, inclusive language tailored to your audience. Adapt your message for different platforms, from snappy social media captions to detailed email campaigns. End with a compelling call-to-action that drives attendance. Ready to transform your program blurbs into must-see invitations? Tune in and learn how to make your programs stand out! For more resources or to connect, visit modernmuseumeducation.com. 

Welcome to day two of the "12 Days of Christmas: Museum Education Edition!" Today’s episode is all about rekindling your museum magic – breathing fresh life into program ideas, especially during quieter winter months.Key Takeaways: Embrace your inner explorer by wandering your galleries. Innovation often comes from collaboration. Walk through the museum from your visitors' perspectives. Draw inspiration from pop culture, social media, and broader trends to create programs that resonate with today’s audiences. Fail forward and experiment with new ideas. Continue learning and seeking inspiration by attending workshops, reading widely, and exploring virtual museum programs. Resources Mentioned: Identity and the Museum Visitor Experience by John Falk The Value of Museums* by John Falk  Museum Educators Roundtable Blog AAM Blog Connect with Rachel:Explore Rachel’s website to book a consultation or "Power Hour" for personalized advice on enhancing your museum programs. https://modernmuseumeducation.com/services

Welcome to the first episode of the “12 Days of Christmas Museum Education Edition!” Let’s dive into a vital topic: moving beyond “crafting for craft’s sake” in museum programming.  Key Quotes “To craft for craft's sake is your mother's museum education. And I said what I said.” “Every crafting activity that we design should be more than just a fun distraction. It should be a powerful storytelling tool that aligns seamlessly with our mission, and it should transform simple projects into impactful educational experiences.” For more detailed show notes and a transcript, visit www.modernmuseumeducation.com/podcast/009.  Connect with Rachel If you enjoyed today’s episode, please take a moment to subscribe, like, and leave a review—it helps other museum educators find this resource. For questions, coaching opportunities, or to be a guest on the show, visit http://modernmuseumeducation.com.

Spring is in the air, and just like nature, it's time for us to grow and bloom!  I've been on a journey, balancing PhD life with family changes, and let me tell you, it's been a wild ride. But, as the seasons change, so does my capacity to dive back into what I love most - supporting museum educators. Lately, I've been reflecting on how we can simplify our work, make it more joyful, and avoid burnout. It's heartbreaking to see passionate educators feeling overwhelmed, and I'm here to say: Let's make things easier on ourselves! In this episode, you'll discover three tips to embrace the spring energy and rejuvenate your passion for museum education!  Here's to making big things happen, one small step at a time! For full show notes and a transcript, visit modernmuseumeducation.com/podcast/008.  

In this episode of the MME podcast, we dive into the concept of optimal certainty and challenge the common mindset that our goal is to teach visitors something completely new.  In between a story about a giant cardboard dragon and an analogy about dressing a mannequin, you’ll discover the importance of creating a learning environment that balances a visitor’s prior knowledge and experiences with their own powerful curiosity. Key Takeaways include: Learning is a cumulative and individual process that occurs over time and across different contexts. Visitors are more likely to learn and engage deeply with topics they already have some prior knowledge about. Curiosity is a natural motivator that drives visitors to explore and seek answers to their questions. Striking the balance between familiar knowledge and opportunities for curiosity, otherwise known as “optimal certainty” is a powerful way to engage visitors. Real-life examples you can try out in your programs today. Resources Mentioned: Full show notes, including links and transcript can be found at modernmuseumeducation.com/podcast/007. Visit the website, https://modernmuseumeducation.com/ to join Rachel’s email list and be the first to find out about her new, exciting project coming soon! Looking for your next professional development read? Links to Rachel’s recommendations, including Learning From Museums and The Value of Museums, can be found at https://modernmuseumeducation.com/bookshelf. Want to be a guest on the podcast? We are looking for museum educators of all kinds to share their experiences, expertise, and ideas. Click here to let us know you are interested! Did you know Rachel can run a personalized workshop for your staff, based around the latest research on creating valuable programming? Find out more at https://modernmuseumeducation.com/services.

In this episode of the MME podcast, we dive deeper into the concept of crafting valuable experiences in museums, focusing this time on the personal context of a visitor's museum journey.  Building on previous discussions, we explore how museum exhibits and programs can create transformational experiences that deeply resonate with individuals. I’ll explain what “peak personal experiences” are and why creating opportunities for them to arise is invaluable to the success of your programs. Key Takeaways include: Creating peak personal experiences in museums leads to visitor satisfaction and meaningful memories. These experiences are highly personal and unpredictable, often resulting in strong emotional reactions and attachment to the museum. How “culturally privileging” certain experiences over others limit our programming reach, particularly to children audiences. 4 tips for immediately improving visitors’ opportunity for personal satisfaction at your museum Resources Mentioned: Did you know Rachel can run a personalized workshop for your staff, based around the latest research on creating valuable programming? Find out more at https://modernmuseumeducation.com/services. Looking for your next professional development read? Links to Rachel’s recommendations, including Family Spaces in Art Museums and The Value of Museums, can be found at https://modernmuseumeducation.com/bookshelf. Want to be a guest on the podcast? We are looking for museum educators of all kinds to share their experiences, expertise, and ideas. Click here to let us know you are interested!

In this episode, we pick up with the ideas presented in John Falk's book "The Value of Museums," and consider how museums and museum programming are uniquely positioned to tap into visitor's primal need for social interaction. Key takeaways include:  How our need to be successful in social situations is directly proportional to our self-esteem How we perceive museum visits in relation to our social status The hugely significant finding from Dr. Falk's research that supports the work of children's programs in museums For links to the resources mentioned, visit modernmuseumeducation.com/bookshelf. Interested in working with Rachel directly? Find out more at modernmuseumeducation.com/services. For a full transcript and show notes, visit modernmuseumeducation.com/podcast/005.

As educators, we often focus on visitors’ intellectual experiences, but the physical context of a person’s experience in our museums is the starting point of their learning journey. In this episode, we consider the number thing we must do in order to convince a visitor to take an intellectual risk with us and we talk through some simple ways to improve the physical context of our programs and tours.   Key Takeaways:  When visiting a museum, people expect to experience things in the physical context, a personal context, in a social context, as well as an intellectual context. Visitors cannot take an intellectual risk if they feel physically unsafe or uncomfortable. Improving physical wellbeing makes your entire site more inclusive. For links to the books referenced in this episode, check out modernmuseumeducation.com/bookshelf. For a full transcript of this episode, visit modernmuseumeducation.com/podcast/004.

If experiences are the mainstay of museum education, how can we be sure we are crafting valuable ones for our visitors? This episode kicks off a multi-part series diving into some of the latest research into what makes a museum visit worth a person's time. Key takeaways include: Value is determined by the user, not the producer. Visitors today are looking for more than experiences; they want transformation. Transformation happens when you create settings and offer experiences that meet your visitors' well-being needs.  Books mentioned in this episode: The Value of Museums, by John H. Falk Learning from Museums, by John H. Falk and Lynn Dierking Come, Stay, Learn, Play by Andrea Nalls Full show notes and can be found at modernmuseumeducation.com/podcast/003.

What I learned about the history of museum education blew my mind and helped me think more broadly about the work all museum professionals do. In this episode, you'll learn when education first became a focus in museums and who the "Father of Museum Education" was. If you're like me, this information will surprise and challenge you as you consider why you do what you do. For full show notes, including links and a transcript, visit modernmuseumeducation.com/podcast/002.  

Welcome to the new podcast made specifically for museum educators! In this episode, I explain why I'm so passionate about museum education, my personal definition of museum education, and why I think programming for children should be every museum's top priority. For full show notes, visit https://modernmuseumeducation.com/podcast.