Episode description

“What really makes an incredible curator in science is what makes an incredible curator of anything. A lot of that is thinking deeply about the experience.” — Jennifer Frazier

The Exploratorium is a beloved, hands-on museum in San Francisco, where science isn’t just something to learn about; it’s something to be uncovered and discovered as a kind of personal journey.

No one knows this better than Jennifer Frazier. As a senior scientist and curator at the Exploratorium, Jen is at the helm of creating immersive experiences that help people see science as a verb. “You’re not just curating important scientific ideas or discoveries,” she says. “You’re actually trying to curate so that people can experience the process of science.”

We talked to Jen about how to create science experiences for the public, what it means to practice inclusive exhibition design, how to reach communities who aren’t visiting, and more. 

Highlights, inspiration and key learnings: 

• What it means to be a scientist-curator. There aren’t a ton of them.
• History of the Exploratorium. Shout out to the Oppenheimer brothers.
• What success looks like for the scientist-curator. How to think about the experiences you want to create for your audience.
• How to reach groups you’re not reaching. Thinking about who is not being served and being more accessible to all people. 
• Practicing inclusive exhibition design, starting with examining who is the curator and what is their background. 
• The art of community curation and how you can curate with the people you’re serving.
• How much of your own tastes a curator should reveal when working for an institution. 
• Using data to inform the work.
• The unique challenges of being a Life Sciences Curator — like keeping living things alive!
• Advice for people interested in following a similar career path. 
• The importance of spending time in nature, the secret joy of national park visitor centers, and other things that inspire her. 
• Who she’d like to invite to a science dance party.

👋 Say hi to Jen! 

🔎 Browse the Storyboard of all her recommendations, including her favorite podcast, book, artist and DJ. 

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