Energy Efficiency Field, Home and Buildings Category

Emcee: Debra Poneman

Our next inductee is the Museum of Science and Industry/Smart Home: Green and Wired. Anne Rashford, Director of Temporary Exhibits and Events, is here to accept the award. MSI is the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere, one of Chicago’s most popular destinations and the only original building left from the 1893 World’s Fair.

During Anne’s tenure, the Museum has inspired millions of guests with hands-on exhibits that spark curiosity and motivate students to reach their full potential in the areas of science, technology, medicine and engineering.

If you’re a parent, you’ve probably brought you kids to a few these exhibits: Titanic 1 and 2; BODY WORLDS 1 and 2; Leonardo da Vinci: Man, Inventor, Genius; Frogs: A Chorus of Colors; CSI: The Experience; Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination; Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light; and Smart Home: Green and Wired, which we’re honoring here today.

Prior to her work at the Museum of Science and Industry, Anne held positions in the City’s Department of Aviation, the Mayor’s Office of Special Events and the Chicago Transit Authority. But Anne will tell you that nothing quite compares with working at the Museum of Science and Industry, where you pass a World War II submarine … hatching baby chicks … a real toy-making assembly line ... and a Coal Mine while walking to your office.

Sounds good to me--I have to say that the museum of Science and Industry holds some of the fondest memories of my childhood--my favorite, besides the chicks, was walking through the model of the human heart.

If we had more time, everyone could say what their favorite exhibit is, but what I’m going to do now is to call up Ann and hopefully we will hear a little more about the Smart Home as we induct the museum into the Environmental Hall of Fame.