MOR seeks public input at June 7 forum in Ekalaka

May 23, 2017, Bozeman, MT - Museum of the Rockies seeks public input at two forums to be held in early June where updates on collaborative efforts between natural history museums in Montana and Kumamoto, Japan will be shared. Funded by the Japan Center for Global Partnership, the Kumamoto Montana Natural Science Museum Association engages in collaborative discourse to develop unique and important educational materials in paleontology, geology, and astronomy for the benefit of the public.

Museum of the Rockies will host the public forum Building Community Partnerships: The Japan - U.S. Natural Science Museums Project on Monday, June 5 from 4 - 6 p.m. in the Hager Auditorium.

Carter County Museum will host the public forum Building Community Partnerships: The Japan - U.S. Natural Science Museums Project on Wednesday, June 7 from 3 - 5 p.m. in the Ekalaka Events Center.

Each public forum is free to attend and will consist of six brief lectures, a question and answer session, and a reception with light appetizers and beverages.

Museum officials participating in the forum include:

• Museum of the Rockies: Pat Leiggi, Director of Paleontology & Exhibits, Carrie Ancell, Senior Preparator of Paleontology, Angie Weikert, Director of Operations, Education, & Public Programs, and J. Eric Loberg, Planetarium Manager

• Carter County Museum: Nathan Carroll, Curator

• Mifune Dinosaur Museum: Dr. Naoki Ikegami, Chief Curator and Yukiko Tomizawa, Museum Educator

• Kumamoto City Museum: Mizuki Nomura, Curator of Astronomy & Planetarian

• Goshoura Cretaceous Museum: Koji Hirose, Curator of Invertebrate Paleontology and Hiromi Kurosu, Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology

• Aso Volcano Musem: Dr. Shinichiro Ikebe, Director

For centuries, the world has recognized museums as a source of inspiration, learning, and providing beneficial services to society. Building upon the successful sister relationships and associations established between Kumamoto, Japan, and Montana, U.S., the group collaborates throughout the year and gains community insight via public forums.

The goal of the partnership is to create an innovative network of natural science museums in Kumamoto and Montana that will inspire professional dialogue for the advancement of museum activities and community engagement; advocate natural science research and education for the greater public benefit; promote science museum relationships and events in Kumamoto and Montana; provide technical assistance and training to all association members as needed; develop bilingual educational resources that can be disseminated to Japanese and American audiences; communicate useful information about the natural sciences through public lectures, workshops, and museum events.

For additional information, email museum@montana.edu, call 406-994-2652 or visit museumoftherockies.org.

People interested in attending the Ekalaka forum may contact Sabre Moore, Carter County Museum Director, by emailing smoore@cartercountymuseum.org.