The governor made all kinds of splashes with his recent visit to several Upper Peninsula locations, and one of those was at the
U.P. Children’s Museum, for the presentation of a "Reinventing Michigan" award.
The award is the third in a series of recognitions Snyder pledged to make in his inaugural address, with the goal of highlighting people and places contributing to the reinvention of Michigan and getting people to see the state in a new light. The children’s museum was honored for its innovative and interactive learning programs, like hands-on exhibits, as well as its young entrepreneur and media programs.
"Curiosity about the way the world works leads to innovation," Snyder says. "The Upper Peninsula Children's Museum's creative, hands-on exhibits and exciting programs are helping spark ideas in a new generation of entrepreneurs who will change the world."
The museum’s Kid Bizness program allows young entrepreneurs in the community to make and sell their own products in the museum store, while its 8-18 Media program gives young journalists the training and tools to produce print stories and radio spots focusing on youth issues in local news outlets.
And the museum itself is an example of downtown revitalization, as it was created from a renovated cold storage facility in downtown Marquette in 1997. It continues to contribute to the revitalization by renting space to specialty shops, offices and studios in its building.
The Reinventing Michigan awards are supported by The Henry Ford Museum downstate, and paid for with private funds.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Gov. Rick Snyder, Michigan
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.