Museum-Built Resource Used by Teachers Worldwide
SALT LAKE CITY–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Natural History Museum of Utah’s (NHMU) free, award‑winning online educator resource, Research Quest, is celebrating two major milestones: its 10‑year anniversary and its 1 millionth learning session delivered worldwide.
Research Quest began as a collaboration between NHMU and the Joseph and Evelyn Rosenblatt Charitable Fund, which in 2013 sought new ways to build critical thinking skills among middle school students. With myriad scientific objects in collections not accessible to the public, the museum saw an opportunity to bring real scientific work into classrooms across Utah and beyond.
With support from the Rosenblatt Fund, the I.J. and Jeanne Wagner Foundation, and other partners, NHMU worked with University of Utah researchers, educators, curriculum developers and digital learning specialists to create an effective online model. After extensive prototyping, Research Quest launched in February 2016 with three investigations based on NHMU science.
Now, a decade later, Research Quest offers 15 investigations spanning ecology, paleontology, and archaeology. Using digital museum collections, 3D models and real research data, students investigate questions such as dinosaur evolution, ancient material use, and biodiversity dynamics.
“We didn’t want to recreate a physical museum experience but rather create cognitive experiences in which students meet scientists and examine museum collections,” said Madlyn Larson, NHMU’s associate director of education initiatives.
Research Quest is now used in classrooms on six continents. To date, the platform has recorded 735,000 user logins. Based on NHMU’s study of average classroom use — 1.5 students per login — it has delivered 1,093,500 learning sessions worldwide.
“Research Quest takes students away from boredom and apathy and puts them in the driver’s seat as an archeologist or fossil expert,” said Mike Sumner, a science teacher at Tooele Junior High School.
Today, Research Quest is celebrated as a free, high‑quality educator resource offering teachers ready‑to‑use investigations that strengthen critical thinking and bring authentic science into classrooms.
Learn more or sign up for a free teacher account at ResearchQuest.org.
About Research Quest
Launched in 2016 by the Natural History Museum of Utah, Research Quest is an award-winning digital learning platform that brings scientific investigation into classrooms nationwide. Designed in collaboration with museum scientists and educators, Research Quest invites students to think and work like researchers. It has been used by more than 1 million students and teachers.
Contacts
Media Contact | Tiff Smith | [email protected]
