The Behrens Science Museum was established in May 2023 and is under development. We formed this institution because science museums tend to focus on facts while the process of science and the reasons that it exists are rarely discussed. In particular, it is important to understand that science is done by human beings who are fallible. The scientific method was designed to help scientists and the scientific community avoid making mistakes that could lead them to draw conclusions that are incorrect. 

The museum will use pseudoscience and the paranormal to teach scientific methods and critical thinking. Why don’t most scientists believe that unidentified flying objects (UFOs) are spacecraft from alien civilizations? Why are scientists skeptical of the existence of creatures like Bigfoot? And what evidence would scientists need to conclude that these and other paranormal phenomena are real? 

The exhibits will include demonstrations of key concepts relevant to the process of science such as:

• Optical and auditory illusions and perceptual mistakes and biases
• Logical fallacies and common errors in reasoning
• The history of scientific discoveries and the methods by which those discoveries were made (what we know and how we know it)
• Foundational discoveries in the history of science that influence our conclusions about the paranormal
• The people who made the discoveries 
• The values central to science
• The false starts, mistakes, and dead-ends that are inevitable in science
• The distinction between science and related pseudo-science

To augment these narratives, the Behrens Science Museum will include original paintings, drawings, sculptures, LEGO® models, photographs, music, poetry, comics, videos, simulations, and other works. The museum may also incorporate performing and culinary arts as appropriate.

If you are interested in supporting our efforts, please contact us using the form on this website or become a patron.