Museum of Natural History ( General museum visit and reflection: 2 points) Janiah Collier

 Over fall break, I had the opportunity to visit the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, and it was such a beautiful and intellectually engaging experience. As a biology major, I was especially fascinated by the exhibits because so much of what I saw connected directly to concepts I had learned in class, particularly evolution, biodiversity, and natural history. It made me realize how much more I appreciate museums now that I can connect the information presented to my academic knowledge and personal interest. Another part of the museum that stood out to me was an exhibit addressing the historical misrepresentation of Native Americans and Europeans while openly acknowledging how the imagery, including the clothing and roles assigned to Indigenous women, did not accurately reflect the realities of those historical encounters. I appreciated seeing the museum challenge the Eurocentric narratives that have historically shaped how Indigenous communities are represented. Overall, this visit strengthened my love for biology while reminding me that museums can also be spaces for critical reflection and questioning historical narratives. I look forward to exploring more museums like this and hopefully returning soon!