The Perot Museum: An Oasis of Science

With all of the controversy surrounding Texas schools teaching Creationism (including Young Earth Creationism which teaches that the Earth is only 6,000 years old), and Texas Governor Rick Perry stating “In Texas, we teach both creationism and evolution,” when he was asked a question by a young boy during his campaign, scientific-minded Texans have cause for alarm. But even in the bible belt there is an oasis of hope for science education: The Perot Museum.

The Perot children donated $50 million dollars to the Museum of Nature & Science in honor of their parents, Ross and Margot Perot. The museum, obviously, is named after the family.  According to the Perot Museum website:

He [Ross Perot] hoped the new museum would inspire a new generation of engineers and scientists. “This will get them to dream,” he said. “In our country, you can dream the dream and make the dream come true.” He said he was “honored that my children and grandchildren wanted to do this. And I hope it will inspire young people to reach for the stars, as I was able to do.” 

We have the Family Plus Platinum package so we are able to attend as many times throughout the year as we like plus get other benefits like free parking and free tickets to the museum theater. It paid for itself after two visits. We have been 3 times in the last month and still haven’t seen the whole museum. It’s gorgeous, massive, and most importantly, SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE!

Instead of ranting about how bass-ackwards Texas is in its educational system, I’m going to let the pictures speak for themselves. Below I have a slideshow sorted by categories; click on a photo and peruse at your leisure.

Stunning architecture!

Some of the signs throughout the museum that tell you this isn’t the Creation Museum

Interactive Stuff!

Various Exhibits

There is so much to see at this museum, more than I could photograph with just one visit. I’m looking forward to going back and capturing some more shots. If you live around Dallas, or visit sometime, stop by the Perot Museum.

After visiting the Perot Museum and seeing how it’s organized, its unbelievable architecture, and the brazen forward-thinking it promotes, I kinda wish Ross Perot had won the presidency in 1992. A man who is willing to put a museum like this in Texas, is a man I would have loved running the country.