A Message from The Bakken Museum President & CEO Alissa Light

Dear All,

I am grateful to be joining The Bakken Museum. I’m so inspired by what the staff and volunteers do day in and day out. The Bakken is a one-of-a-kind museum and experience that celebrates relationships, storytelling, and experiential learning and sparks joy and innovation. 

At the end of each week of summer camp, students show their work to friends and family during a Big Show. A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending one of these presentations. I was moved to tears and giggles. There were 20+ kids sharing their bold innovations with circuits and robotics, glitter, and super glue. There were kids as proud of their process, what they learned, what didn’t work, and how they problem-solved as the finished product. This week of camp was focused on girls and non-binary and gender-expansive kids. Kids whose identities are significantly under-represented in STEM, making it all that much more powerful to be in an environment that intentionally supports you to lean in, try and fail and learn, ask for help and get it, and then try again. These kids are our future science teachers, inventors, engineers, artists, and creatives. That is what The Bakken Museum is about. And honestly, it makes our world better, more creative, fun, and inclusive — a place of belonging. 

People interact with The Bakken Museum in many ways; through our unique artifact collection, regional outreach education, stunning gardens, inspiring exhibits, and so much more. However you connect with The Bakken Museum, I can’t wait to be part of it. 

Sincerely, 

Alissa Light 
President & CEO 
The Bakken Museum