New Mexico plays a significant role in the story of the Atomic Age, and since 1969 the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History has been telling that story to its visitors. The Nuclear Museum, a congressionally charted museum and Smithsonian Affiliate, is dedicated to preserving and presenting the historical and technical context of the Atomic Age. Bernadette Robin, the Director of Communications, shared that it’s common for visitors to have preconceived opinions about this delicate subject, but that it’s the museum’s job to tell the story of the Atomic Age in an unbiased and objective way.
Through permanent and changing exhibits, visitors are given a look into early atomic research, the development of weapons, as well as today’s peaceful application of nuclear technology. Visitors can learn about topics such as the Manhattan Project, the Cold War, the atomic pop culture, nuclear waste transportation, and more. The museum doesn’t shy away from historical nuclear events and accidents, but it also shows modern benefits such as clean energy and nuclear medicine. One of the museum’s most popular exhibits is Heritage Park, a nine-acre outdoor area that displays planes, rockets, missiles, cannons, and a nuclear sub-sail. Visitors can see a B-52B Stratofortress, F-16 Fighting Falcon, Mk17 Bomb, and more.
The Nuclear Museum is a beloved organization within the community because of its priority to make STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education accessible, approachable, and fun. Robin said that everyone learns differently and has different interests, so the team is always trying to come up with new ways for people to experience the museum beyond its permanent exhibits. To help foster the next generation of innovators, the museum hosts the Science is Everywhere Camp where educators use hands-on experiences to teach kids about complex STEM topics. Families can also attend the museum’s Movie Under the Wings event where science or engineering-related movies are shown outside at the Heritage Park exhibit. The museum also hosts adults-only events such as Discovery After Dark and Science on Tap, where adults can participate in hands-on STEM activities and listen to talks given by STEM subject matter experts from within the community. These informal learning opportunities bring the community together while making STEM experiences enjoyable and memorable.
Robin says that the team also looks for opportunities to take the museum out to the community. The team will attend various local events such as school science fairs and Science Night hosted by the Albuquerque Isotopes. In 2009 the museum spearheaded the creation of Nuclear Science Week, which has now become an international, weeklong celebration of nuclear science innovations and achievements.
The Nuclear Museum team is always focused on presenting the past while looking towards the future. Through carefully curated exhibits to informal STEM education, “we have the opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life,” said Robin. Whether it’s viewing the casings of Fat Man and Little Boy, watching a movie next to a B-52, or watching an experiment demonstration, visitors will leave the museum with a new experience and hopefully a new understanding of how nuclear science has shaped our world and how it continues to influence our future.
The museum is located at 601 Eubank Blvd SE, Albuquerque. For group tours: 505.245.2137, extension 103.