MOXI The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation hosted its annual Power of MOXI luncheon on the museum’s rooftop sky garden last week.
Keynote speaker Jenny Du, Senior Vice President and Co-Founder of Apeel Sciences addressed the sold-out crowd of 100 guests, followed by presentation of the 2022 MOXI(e) award to Ed and Sue Birch in honor of their extraordinary support of the science museum.
More than $50,000 was raised at the afternoon event to support MOXI’s Education Fund, providing equitable access to educational experiences for all children and families in the community.
“We want to engage curious minds in science, technology, engineering, arts and math, and these experiences need to be accessible to all children from all backgrounds from all corners in our community,” said Robin Gose, MOXI President and CEO, during the May 10 event.
“It’s imperative that places like MOXI are available to unlock the creative potential we need to solve problems of the future — you never know who will be the one to design the solutions that advance our world.”
“MOXI’s educational objectives — to be curious, to think creatively, to explore purposefully, to embrace challenges, and to feel empowered — and its exhibits offering experiential opportunities, play a vital role in cultivating our next generation of critical thinkers,” said keynote speaker Jenny Du.
Du knows a thing or two about critical thinking. She holds a Ph.D. in chemistry, and found her way to Santa Barbara conducting post-doctorate research at UC Santa Barbara. She joined the innovative team at Apeel as employee No. 2 and has since served as senior vice president leading the organization’s growth to 40 sites in eight countries worldwide.
“Knowing the answers will help you in school; knowing how to question will help you in life,” said Du, quoting a line from Warren Berger’s book, A More Beautiful Question.
“This idea aligns well with MOXI’s education philosophy,” Du said. “That STEAM learning is more than the acquisition of content — it’s about a process and a framework to build foundational skills and a mindset needed to be critical thinkers, creative problem solvers, and life-long learners.”
Du shared that it was a series of ambitious questions that led to the creation of Apeel, which pioneered a technology that repurposes materials found in plants to extend the life of fresh fruits and vegetables, while also reducing waste.
“We are always working with imperfect information,” said Du stressing the importance of testing, challenging assumptions, and not being afraid to fail. Again, precepts encouraged at the museum.
Museum Board Chair Alixe Mattingly presented the second annual MOXI(e) award to Sue and Ed Birch, honoring the couple’s passion and vision to “incubate and fund exceptional educational experiences that truly make a difference and have a clear and positive impact on the broadest segments of our community.”
The couple (who have been married 63 years) are well known in the community for their decades of leadership and philanthropy. They have served on both local and national boards, and their passion for community improvement and advancement through “make-a-difference” educational experiences has been a focus of their stewardship.
“I only have one regret,” said Sue as she accepted the award. “That when I was teaching, MOXI wasn’t here yet. I would have loved to have the museum as a resource and inspiration for my students.” She is a former teacher and previous head of the lower school at Laguna Blanca.
Ed Birch, President & CEO of the Mosher Foundation, reflected on the early years of MOXI, when it only existed as an ambitious idea.
“I can’t help but think of the phrase, ‘it takes a village’” he said, recalling how relationships and passion among a dedicated group of supporters and volunteers transformed the idea into a brilliant reality.
“It took a village in a town that I think is exceptional,” he said. “Where villages do make things happen in the right ways, at the right time, and for the right reasons.”
Since opening in February 2017, MOXI has welcomed over 600,000 guests from all 50 states. Accessibility is core to MOXI, which awards up to 20 camp scholarships each summer, and welcomes more than 15,000 elementary school students each year.
MOXI also joined Museums for All, enabling anyone with an EBT card to enjoy the exhibits for $1 per ticket. MOXI also partners with local nonprofits like Storyteller and CALM, with guest passes and membership cards, and announced that it will be launching a prototype of an afterschool program on-site at three schools beginning in the fall of 2022.
Kelly Almeroth, Jill Chase, and Mattingly served as co-chairs for the Lunch + Learn event. Host committee members included Marcia Cohen, Naomi Dewey, Emily and Scott Hadley, Kim Hunter and Paulo Lima, Ph.D., Amber Kaplan Sprague, Ph.D., Austin Lampson, Jill Levinson, Kirsten McLaughlin, Jill Nida, Nancy Sheldon, Georgette Topakas-Hicks, Kirsten Weston-Smith, and Michele White.
Gold Sponsors were Lampson Team at Homeowners Financial Group and Zegar Family Fund. Silver Sponsors were Marcia and John Mike Cohen, Alixe and Mark Mattingly, and the Sheldon Family. Friends Sponsors included the Almeroth Family, Bella Vista Designs, Jill and Chad Chase, and the Levinson Family.
— Ann Pieramici is a Noozhawk contributing writer.