Marilynne Eichinger
Author | Portland, Oregon |
Website
Marilynne Eichinger has been an active supporter of hands-on learning throughout her career as a science museum director. Graduating magna-cum-laude from Boston University with an emphasis in anthropology, she went on to receive a her master’s degree in psychology from Michigan State University. In 1972 Marilynne founded Impres.... more
Marilynne Eichinger has been an active supporter of hands-on learning throughout her career as a science museum director. Graduating magna-cum-laude from Boston University with an emphasis in anthropology, she went on to receive a her master’s degree in psychology from Michigan State University. In 1972 Marilynne founded Impression 5 Science Museum in Lansing, Michigan in order to share the wonders of science through interactive exhibitry.
After operating Impression 5 for thirteen years she left to become president of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, one of the nation’s oldest and most renowned science center. There she spearheaded constructing a 250,000 sq. ft facility and exhibit workshop on the Willamette River in Portland She acquired a submarine from the Navy, built a new planetarium, and installed a large format theater. Marilynne expanded a traveling exhibit service by developing displays that travelled internationally. As director, oversaw science classes, camps and education programs that service a five state region.
Marilynne’s concern for education led her to move to her next venture. In 1995. with the backing of 22 national museums and private investors, she elaunched the n Museum Tour Catalog to provide hands-on investigative materials to households nation wide. After eighteen years, her business sold, providing time to spend with her five children and eight grandchildren. Marilynne is an prolific painter, blogger, and adventure traveler. She is the author of two non-fiction books, Lives of Museum Junkies, giving a behind the scenes look at science centers, and Over the Peanut Fence, about youth homessness.
The book about homelss adolescents was inspired by Zach, a twenty-year-old homeless boy, who passed in front of her car. He was ill and neded nursing so she and her partner invited him to live in their home for a week. He stayed for five years. His story initiated four years of reasearch into the fate of disadvantaged homeless youth. She happily shares that after a five year struggle, the young man they adopted is a well adjusted, contributing member of society.