{"id":235219,"date":"2025-09-15T07:56:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T11:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=235219"},"modified":"2025-09-22T12:45:46","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T16:45:46","slug":"connecticut-state-museum-of-natural-history-rejoins-uconn-clas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2025\/09\/connecticut-state-museum-of-natural-history-rejoins-uconn-clas\/","title":{"rendered":"Connecticut State Museum of Natural History Rejoins UConn CLAS"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

With hands-on exhibits, pop-up displays, and interactive events that draw crowds from across the state, the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History<\/a> has a knack for making science surprising, memorable, and fun.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

But the museum does more than just spark curiosity. It also plays a key role in UConn’s public engagement mission, helping faculty and students connect their work to communities far beyond campus.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

This year, the museum took an important step to deepen that commitment: It officially returned to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), where it was first established in 1985, after spending several years under the Institute of the Environment.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

By rejoining CLAS, the museum strengthens its ties to the departments and disciplines most connected to its work, from anthropology to biology to earth sciences, while helping the College bring natural history to life for learners of all ages.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cThe museum is an outstanding resource for both the University and the state, helping make the ideas and discoveries we study in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences more accessible to people across Connecticut,\u201d says Ofer Harel, dean of CLAS. \u201cI\u2019m excited about the opportunities it offers to broaden the impact of our research.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The museum is mandated to serve the residents of Connecticut, a role it fulfills by engaging diverse communities, providing transformative learning experiences, and supporting research and discovery through the development of new resources.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cWe\u2019re here to reach people across the state of all ages, and we try to connect that outreach to what\u2019s available at UConn,\u201d says Janine Caira, museum director and Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor Emerita in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Visitors explore the Army Ant Guest exhibit in the lobby of the Biology Physics Building during the museum\u2019s AntU Day event for UConn Extension\u2019s Bug Week. (Photo courtesy of the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History)<\/div>\n
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Participants in the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History Archaeology Field School work at the Hollister Site in South Glastonbury, Connecticut. (Photo courtesy of the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History)<\/div>\n
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Staff and volunteers from the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History and the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry at Shark Day on July 27, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History)<\/div>\n
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Bryophyte exhibit installed in 2022 in the Wilbur Cross Building rotunda, which was developed with support from the museum. The display was part of the broader impacts component of an NSF-funded project based in the lab of EEB professor Bernard Goffinet. (Photo courtesy of the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History)<\/div>\n
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Susan Herrick, professor-in-residence in ecology and evolutionary biology, leads a herpetology walk at Joshua\u2019s Trust Allanach-Wolf Woodlands in Windham, Connecticut. (Photo courtesy of the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History)<\/div>\n
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Members of the UConn Sign Shop install life-size illustrations of sharks and stingrays in the Gant Science Complex hallway for Shark Day. (Photo courtesy of the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History)<\/div>\n
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Visitors participate in a mammal quiz activity during Mega Mammal Day on July 26, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Andrew Bovasso)<\/div>\n
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Museum staff member Erin Kuprewicz represents the museum at the Mansfield Downtown Partnership Winter Welcome event in Downtown Storrs, Connecticut. (Photo courtesy of the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History)<\/div>\n
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An Army Ant Guest-inspired senior design project is presented during demonstration day by students, from left: Dennis Scheglov \u201918 (ENG), Richard Goldman \u201918 (ENG), Owen Rockwell \u201918 (BUS), and Nicholas Leong \u201918 (BUS). (Photo courtesy of the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History)<\/div>\n
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