Sloan*Longway of Flint, Michigan was the recipient of the 2016 MMA Peninsulas Prize, which was awards by the MMA Board of Directors.
At the crux of the water crisis in Flint, “Water’s Extreme Journey” opened at Sloan*Longway. This traveling exhibit was used as a jumping off point to examine the Flint water crisis. With it, dynamic community programming was developed, creating a conversation through scientific inquiry, play, and art. The exhibit was developed to empower visitors to take action, commit to clean water, and express their support for clean water initiatives. Once through the maze of the exhibit, visitors could delve into Flint’s water system history, learn the science of filtration, examine current issues and solutions, and investigate the Flint River today.
Earth Day was another opportunity for the Sloan to engage with the community, partnering with the Flint Cultural Center on an Earth Day Celebration. The museum offered hands-on stations throughout the exhibit that encouraged families to interact with each other. These science stations focused on concepts of wetlands, groundwater, water treatment, the water cycle, and habitat. Also during this time, the Longway Planetarium had viewings of the film Mysteries of the Great Lakes. The film showcased the amazing geography, ecology, science, and history of one of the largest freshwater resources in the world and highlighted the need for preservation and conservation.
With an emphasis on face-to-face collaboration, the Michigan Museums Association shares expertise and resources to promote standards and practices that make the Michigan museum community thrive. MMA has been supporting the work of Michigan museums for nearly 60 years. Our members include the institutions, professionals and volunteers of the Michigan museum community who believe that strong museums help us better understand ourselves and our world. Every type of museum is represented and welcomed, including art, history, science, military and maritime, and youth museums, as well as aquariums, zoos, botanical gardens, arboretums, historic sites, and science and technology centers.
