Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Division of research and collections: the scientific staff working in the division of r&c added 41 Natural History specimens to the more than 5 million specimens and artifacts housed in our collections, hosted 7 visiting research scientists, hosted more than 55 Museum visitors on behind the scenes tours of the collections and laboratories, and responded to more than 219 requests for expertise that ranged from specimen identification to advice on animals in their backyard. The staff published 26 scientific documents in report format or in peer-reviewed journals. The staff participated in or helped organize public programs that led to more than 218 direct interactions between the Museum's research staff and the public. The division has undertaken a large effort to digitize all of it millions of collection objects in order to make these important specimens available to the public as primary records of life across time and space or images. The division conducted field research across northern Ohio and the great lake region, all of which support conservation efforts and build a deeper understanding of the Natural world. Numerous scientific discoveries include the discovery of many new species of beetle, an evolutionary study on insect defensive strategies, a number of paleontological studies on the Pennsylvanian age, and new discoveries on human evolution.

Exhibits: the Museum hosted two 7,000 square foot traveling exhibits: "ultimate dinosaurs and "wildlife rescue" in the large exhibit space, kahn hall. In the fawick lobby gallery, the Museum rotated several small pop-up exhibits including "dung beetles! ", "dunkleosteus and "transformation project." The Museum opened up a brand new gallery called "current science" which explores relevant topics in science and self-produced two exhibits: "earth day everyday and "extinction."

Education: the Museum offers unique learning opportunities including hands-on workshops, gallery displays, health programs, planetarium shows, live animal programs and self-conducted exhibits, outreach and award winning interactive videoconferencing programs. The Museum provided on-site school programs for 17,159 students and delivered outreach programs to 841 students and teachers during fiscal year 2023. The Museum was also able to engage 16,025 students and teachers from 9 states and 3 countries via the interactive videoconferencing studios. Admission passes were given to all Cleveland metropolitan school district 2nd grade students who attended programming at the Museum and the passes were used for 29 free admissions.

Other significant programs of the Museum include public service, communications, fiscal agency services, and societies.