Science Heroes Home Page > Anders Liljeholm

Anders Liljeholm - Science Educator

OMSI: Where did you grow up?

AL: I grew up in Portland, attending Portland Public Schools. (Llewellyn, Sellwood, and Cleveland)

OMSI: As a child, did you have any hobbies, interests, or experiences that helped prepare you for success in science?

AL: I loved visiting OMSI as a child, taking OMSI summer classes and learning about science. Math classes in school were also essential, giving me the tools I would need to understand things I would learn later.

OMSI: Please tell us about a mentor or teacher who helped to inspire your interest in science.

AL: Richard Garrett, my 6th grade math teacher, explained things in a clear and silly way. He would use metaphors that grabbed your attention, and made a lot of sense.

OMSI: How do you feel about the current state of science education in the U.S.?

AL: I have hope. Science teachers are working hard to teach bright students. Standards are being used, so everyone is measured on the same scale, and people are learning things that matter in useful ways. Broken promises from the government, especially the NCLB law, don't help, but there's a lot to be hopeful about.

OMSI: What do you like to do in your free time?

AL: I enjoy performing with local theatre groups, and singing in local choirs.

OMSI: As a student, did you participate in a science fair? If so, please tell us about your project, and your experience participating in the fair.

AL: I attended the Northwest Science Expo, and competed in several events. We did well in several events, like predicting a projectile's landing point, but my favorite memory is the Water event. The room had several stations with different challenges about water. We had to answer several questions. We had, however, completely failed to read the instructions that told us to construct a device to measure the salinity of water. So we got to one station, and we stared at 3 buckets of water, and a form to fill in the salinity of each. So we guessed. And we got one of the buckets right!

OMSI: Who were the people you looked up to as heroes in your field?

AL: Bill Nye is a great popularizer, explaining science to everyone. And his mentor Carl Sagan also helped raise the world's love for science.

OMSI: Do you have any advice for students who are interested in pursuing a career in science?

AL: There are lots of jobs in science besides being a scientist. Most people who pursue science become researchers at universities or at big corporations. But there is also a need for science writers to explain the work to everyone else. And scientific illustrators to draw pictures of new discoveries. If you love more than one thing, you can find a way to do both in one job - you just have to convince someone to create the job in the first place.

OMSI: Please tell us about your educational background.

AL: I graduated from Haverford College in Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Philosopy and Physics.

OMSI: Please tell us about a project you're working on now.

AL: OMSI is renovating its Technology Lab. We're creating 30 new activities, moving into a different room, and making activities for people to do at home and at school.

OMSI: How does the research / work you do effect people's everyday lives?

AL: I try to help people understand the things that already affect them. We use technology every day, from buttons and zippers to cell phones and the Internet. If we know the choices we face about technology, we can make the best possible decisions.

OMSI: Does your work or research require you to travel?

AL: It's very useful to see other museums and how they present topics. I've had the opportunity to take a few trips to see that kind of work.

OMSI: What do you like most about your work?

AL: The variety. One moment I am showing a 10 year old how to use a slide rule, and the next moment I'm helping her grandmother use the Internet.

OMSI: Is there a scientific issue or topic outside of your immediate field that you are particularly interested in?

AL: Copyright and patent law has huge implications in the coming century. Digital technology makes copying easier. Patenting DNA has enormous consequences. We as a society will decide in the next few years how we want to deal with these choices, and to balance the rights of large corporations with the rights of individuals.