Collectors’ Corner Nature Museum
Highland Park Elementary first opened its Collectors’ Corner Nature
Museum in November, 2006. This endeavor is
modeled after the Science Museum of Minnesota’s own Collectors’
Corner. The purpose of the Museum is to honor students’
observations, research and collections. In addition, it provides a
place for students to donate something they have collected from nature
and trade it for something that was donated by someone else.
This project was conceived by Eileen Cotter, Enrichment
Coordinator, as an enrichment opportunity for all students.
Planning, consulting with the Science Museum Collectors’ Corner staff,
and training the student curators is done by Ingrid Nyholm-Lange,
an HPE parent. Cara Weggler, a Macalester College student,
works with Ingrid on logistics and curator training and volunteers two afternoons a week to work with the student curators in
the actual operation of the Museum.
The Collectors’ Corner Nature Museum is open to students on a
sign-up basis. The Museum can facilitate up to 15 students on
each of the days it is open. Students may sign up to donate an
item, trade an item, or just browse the Museum. The sign-up sheet
is located on the Library door. The Museum is located in the
Library Annex. The 2008-09 season will officially begin about the end of September.
Here's How the Museum Works ... Find something interesting
• Find a natural object like a rock, fossil, shell, bone, pine cone, dead insect.
• Notice the surroundings where you found it. Be sure to write down where and when you found it.
• Think about what it is, how it grew, what it ate, or why it's important.
• Do some research and learn more about your item.
Bring it to the Collectors' Corner Nature Museum
• Tell the Collectors' Corner Curators about your item.
Trade Now or Trade Later
• Open a Collectors' Corner account. Curators will keep track of your donations and trades.
• Trade when you donate, or trade at a future time.
Tips for Collectors
• Take one or two and leave the rest. Don't over-collect.
• Respect nature and private property.
• Leave things as you found them.
• Don't collect protected items (no feathers or nests)
• Learn more about the items you collect.
• No animals (dead or alive) should be brought to the Museum – insects are the only exception.
Questions??: Contact Eileen Cotter (651-293-8770) or (eileen.cotter@spps.org)
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