The Museum of Science and Sustainability is a museum in progress in Arizona. Currently we have several smart, dedicated decision makers and are seeking a land lease to build our main center, several outer buildings and interactive trails. In the meantime, we have received project monies to lecture, workshop and give demonstrations around the Phoenix/Tuscon area.
If you are interested in having a guest lecture in your classroom or to your group, please contact us: disa@themoss.org
Why the Museum of Science and Sustainability is an Idea Whose Time Has Come
The majority of climate scientists are now in agreement that global warming is not only real, but likely anthropogenic in nature. Public awareness of the need for sustainable choices in housing, transportation, food production, and energy is at a level not seen since the first Earth Day celebration on April 22nd, 1970. This awareness spans generations and is seeing a resurgence, especially among the youngest, those still in school, and in the process of forming ideals, connections, and personal goals.
Existing museums of science in the state of Arizona are doing a fine job in the areas of general science, anthropology, culture, and astronomy, but there is a real lack of focus on environment and sustainability. The Museum of Science and Sustainability (MoSS) intends to fill that vacuum with a state-of-the-art institution dedicated to public education and the demonstration of existing technologies.
The Museum itself will use these technologies, achieving the lowest carbon footprint possible, serving as an example of what can be done now. Features will include:
- energy efficient, recycled building materials
- passive solar design
- high R-value reflective foam roofing
- grid-tied photovoltaic system for electrical power
- low water use plumbing, including grey-water recycling
- rain gardens and pervious paving to control runoff
- high-efficiency LED lamps for internal lighting
- skylights to reduce internal lighting loads
- Internal and external hands-on exhibits and displays will further demonstrate what is possible using technology already available.
We will go to exhaustive lengths to showcase the best practices and technologies currently available to make MoSS a shining example of environmentally friendly architecture.
Finally, taking full advantage of our sunny climate, the use of a grid-tied photovoltaic system will reduce our utility bills to zero while the Sun shines, often generating a surplus to feed back into the grid. During evening hours, or on cloudy days, we would purchase electricity from the grid. Imagine a prominently displayed electric meter that, on sunny days, runs backwards! What better way to show the power and appeal of renewable energy?
Teleconferencing Saves Gas
When our Board of Directors meets, typically a few times each year, they must travel from widely dispersed locations throughout the Valley. A quick calculation showed that we could save a total of 350 miles round trip travel by teleconferencing instead of commuting. We needed cross-platform compatibility and at least seven “seats” (simultaneous 7-way video and audio). After a review of potential teleconferencing providers, we decided on the top-rated SightSpeed service. You can learn more about SightSpeed by clicking on the link below. We highly recommend teleconferencing as a sustainable way to bring people together without burning any gasoline. Plus, it saves on travel time.
A Brief History of MoSS
The Museum’s genesis was the personal vision of Disa McAlister, who in 2008 initiated discussion to turn that vision into reality. The founding board convened on November 11th and MoSS was born. We became a 501(c)3 organization in the State of Arizona, organized exclusively for educational and scientific purposes.
Later that same year MoSS became an affiliate of the Coalition on the Public Understanding of Science (COPUS). From their website:
COPUS is a grassroots effort whose goal is to engage sectors of the public in science to increase their understanding of the nature of science and its value to society. A key objective of COPUS is to create new forums for communication and to develop new opportunities for engaging the public with science.
MoSS had to apply to, and be approved by, COPUS to receive our affiliate standing. This affiliation provides resources and connections invaluable to achieving our mission.