Fundraising T-Rex Grants First Interview

After receiving positive feedback about my interview with Frank the Freight Elevator, I started to think about other interesting characters at the Burke who might be willing to chat with me about their contribution to keeping this place running smoothly. I found a willing candidate in Margot the Fundraising T-Rex and while I was working at the admission desk this past Monday, I called her over for a short sit-down with me.

Margot the Fundraising T-Rex

Sam the Receptionist: Thank you, Margot, for setting aside part of your busy day to tell us about your experience at the Burke.
Margot the Fundraising T-Rex: No problem, Sam. I love talking about the work I do here and am overjoyed at the chance to explain what I do to your blog readers.

S: It is my pleasure. So how long have you been working in Development at the Burke?
M: Well, I’ve been around the Museum for quite a while, but I’ve only been in my current position for about 9 months. I really enjoy what I do here! Although some might think I’m rather stiff, I get to see so many people everyday walk around the lobby with wide eyes and curiosity all over their face. Each week there are so many students that come through. Our Educators work really hard to corral so many youngins every day. Sometimes there are upwards of 60 enthusiastic elementary school children in one tour. I love days like that when there are so many busy bodies of energy exploring the Burke for the first time!

Me and Margot!

S: Do you usually get to interact with the kids on days like that?
M: Sometimes I do. Children are usually the ones that notice me first so I get to say “hi” and show them my giant quarter. But some of the time they don’t notice me at all which makes me a little sad, but I know it’s because they’re so eager to discover all that the Burke has to offer.

S: What is your favorite part of working here at the Museum?
M: It has to be when people fill my little Plexiglas office with donations. I love it because it means that they really enjoyed their time here and they value the institution enough to put even a little bit of money back into the Museum. It doesn’t even matter to me how much people give, it’s the act of giving itself that makes me giddy.

S: Does it annoy you when kids try and aim for your head with quarters?
M: Nope, not at all. When I was in college I played soccer and having quarters aimed at my head is as close as I get to hitting headers anymore.

S: Well, Margot, thank you for taking the time out of your day to tell our readers about your job!
M: Anytime, Sam, anytime.

With whom should I seek my next interview? Cast your vote!



Posted by: Sam Porter

Dear Burke Museum

Inspired by a post on the Seattle Art Museum’s blog, SOAP, I thought it would be fun to share some of the student letters the Burke education department receives throughout the year. Most museums with a K-12 education program are familiar with the often adorable “kid letters” that arrive at the museum following a school field trip. Students like to write the Burke’s team of educators and thank them for the tour and share what they learned on their trip to the museum. Here is a sampling of some of our favorite recent letters:

"Wow! I'll give it to the Burke Museum."

"I wish the mammoth was real!"

"My favorite object was the big canoe."

"You can make some useful tools out of cedar bark."

Where can kids dig in Washington?

On four Saturdays this summer the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is hosting a series of "Kids Digs." These 2-hour mock digs for children ages 8-12 give kids the hands-on experience they need to really understand what it means to be an archaeologist. Digs for kids are a rarity in the Pacific Northwest and the Burke Museum Archaeology Department has hosted a number of those few.

Our annual Archaeology Day often supports a mock dig and the Courtland Place Street Dig in Seattle was a class favorite. The Burke even ran a public dig on Vashon Island that resulted in a research publication. But the question remains, why are these digs so rare?

There are numerous reasons why an archaeological dig might be closed to the public. First and foremost are concerns about maintaining the scientific integrity of the site. Archaeologists go through years of education and hands-on training before they are let loose on an archaeological site and thus even the most well-intentioned amateurs can make mistakes at a dig that are all but impossible to correct.

Other considerations including safety, land ownership, tribal sensitivity, staffing, looting prevention, and excess costs are all reasons that most archaeological sites remain closed to the public. But for those of you interested in an archaeological adventure there are some options.

The USDA Forest Service Passport in Time program and the Earthwatch Institute both provide opportunities to get hands-on field training in archaeology. The National Park Service sometimes also offers volunteer opportunities in the field and maintains a comprehensive list of other opportunities. These intensive experiences are generally only available to adults or the teen crowd, but it is worth checking the websites of your nearest National Park or Forest to see what kid's events might be available.

In the meantime, be sure to check out the Fort Vancouver “Kids Digs.” These events are being held at the Fort on July 25, August 22, and September 26 and at the McLoughlin House in Oregon City on August 8. Kids Digs begin at 11am and run for 2 hours. Visit the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site website to learn more.

Posted by: Stephanie Jolivette, Archaeology Public Outreach

Photo (top): A Burke Museum archaeologist teaches kids about proper digging techniques at the Courtland Place Street Dig in 2004.

Orca Bowl

Posted by Karin Hoffman, Communications

The 2009 Orca Bowl is almost here. What is Orca Bowl you may ask? Orca Bowl (also known as the Washington State Ocean Sciences Bowl) is an annual competition where teams of high school students from across the state tackle questions in areas of earth and social sciences related to the oceans and ocean technology, which means that students have to be knowledgeable about physics, chemistry, geology and biology. The winning team from Washington will go on to compete at the national competition in Washington, D.C. This year the Burke is proud to be a sponsor of this event and will be hosting the awards ceremony

Where: South Campus Center, University of Washington Seattle campus
When: Saturday, February 7, 2009

So, how would I do if I entered the Orca Bowl? Well, after attempting to answer several practice questions, not very well. Granted, I didn’t study and I learned most of this information in high school (which was a long time ago), but I am very impressed at the level of knowledge these students need to have to compete in this event.

Here are a couple sample questions taken from the National Ocean Sciences Bowl website. Let’s see how you do (you can find the answers by clicking on More.) I’ll start with an easy one (according to the NOSB website it’s easy.)

1. Strong currents that occur along the eastern coasts of the United States and Japan are:

a. Eastern boundary currents
b. Western boundary currents
c. Southern boundary currents
d. Northern boundary currents

Now that you’re warmed up, here’s a harder question from the chemistry section.

2. Which sea is most supersaturated with oxygen?

a. Bering Sea
b. Okhotsk Sea
c. Barents Sea
d. Norwegian Sea

More...

Answers:
1. Western boundary currents
2. Barents Sea

Check out photos from Bug Blast

This years' Bug Blast was a huge success! Over 1,200 people attended the event, making it the most visited Bug Blast to date. Thanks to all those who took part in the festivities, especially those brave enough to sample the cooked bugs.

Test drive the Burke Kids Web site

Posted by: Rebecca (Durkin) Whitham

Got a kid in your life who loves to play on the computer?

We’re looking for kids ages 6 - 12 who are willing to test drive our brand new Burke Kids Web site. It’s filled with fun games and cool things to discover about the Burke, the natural world, and culture.

If you and your kid are free during Spring Break, from March 29 - April 11, make an appointment to come to the Burke for free, play on the site, and give us your feedback. You’ll even get a $10 gift card to Häagen-Dazs in return!

You can sign up online or contact us at burkepr@u.washington.edu or 206-616-5887.

- Rebecca