Portlanders and museum lovers around the world unite! OMSI (the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry), one of the nation's leading science centers and a prominent Pacific Northwest attraction, suffers from a public relations crisis and needs our help.

The word "industry" in its name, evocative of resource extraction, smokestacks, and worker exploitation, may have been more relevant in the early 20th century when the museum was a small collection of natural artifacts (acquired by white Oregonian settlers) scattered about in Portland's City Hall.

Today, OMSI consists of five exhibit halls, eight science labs, a planetarium, the Empirical Theater, and a retired U.S. Navy submarine open for tours. Reaching more than one million visitors annually, OMSI's mission is to inspire curiosity through engaging science learning experiences, foster experimentation and the exchange of ideas, and stimulate informed action. OMSI's vision is to collaborate with partners to ignite an education transformation at the intersection of science, technology, and design.

OMSI's 2020-2025 Strategy includes stated commitments to advancing culturally inclusive experiences, reimagining programs across the region, and catalyzing climate and environmental action, among other objectives aimed to work with partners and community members to include diverse perspectives in learning experiences and dismantle systemic barriers by addressing disparities in staffing, business practices, and public engagement.

What better word than "Innovation" could capture the essence of OMSI's purpose while retaining the familiarity of its acronym? Popular usage of "industry" has declined sharply after the 20th century while that of "innovation" is on the rise: Will OMSI choose to remain a relic of a bygone era, or adapt to stay relevant to modern audiences for generations to come? The choice is obvious.

Let's get OMSI's Leadership and Board of Trustees on board.

Change the I in OMSI from Industry to Innovation.

References:
https://omsi.edu/history-and-mission​

https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/oregon_museum_of_science_industry_omsi_/#.YwusoXbMLb1