display case of fossils

 A once modest hallway exhibit has evolved into a dynamic, student-driven museum at Northwest High School, transforming how students experience science and interdisciplinary learning.

Now in its second year, the Museum Project has grown into a schoolwide initiative involving more than 130 students and 10 teachers across multiple subjects. Soon, you can see it for yourself. On Wednesday, May 7, 3 to 6 p.m. Northwest High School invites you to tour the science museum and art galleries. 

From Ranger to Educator: A Vision for Experiential Learning

Devin Cherry, a geologist and former National Park Service ranger, first envisioned the project after joining Northwest High School in 2023. Drawing on his experience designing museum exhibits for Fossil Butte National Monument, Mr. Cherry brought his vision to life by guiding his geology students through fossil-collecting field trips and museum visits. Students then curated their own exhibit - and the excitement was immediate.

“The students took such pride in their work that I knew we had something special,” said Mr. Cherry. “But we lacked space to display it. That’s when the idea to expand was born.”

Mr. Cherry applied for and was awarded a $28,948 grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s Ohio Environmental Education Fund (OEEF). The grant aimed to enhance science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) engagement through real-world, environmental education. With strategic re-budgeting, the funds stretched further than expected, enabling the school to purchase 18 professional-grade display cases, $1,500 in mineral specimens, and cover field trip costs for students through 2026.  A host of collaborators assisted in planning, and supplying materials for the project including assistance from the Cincinnati Museum Center, Caesar Creek State Park, Sylvania Fossil Park, The Waldron Shale Project, the Aggregates and Industrial Minerals Association, Gaia’s Gems and Georarities.

A Schoolwide Showcase of Talent

Today, the Museum Project spans courses including Astronomy, Geology, Anatomy, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Zoology, Animal Care, Art, and History. The result is a vibrant, ever-evolving display of student-generated content:

  • Geology: Fossil exhibits, mineral and rock displays, student-built dinosaur models, and traveling fossil kits for elementary outreach

  • Astronomy: Posters on eclipses, lunar phases, deep-sky objects, and scale model spacecraft

  • Physics: Model rockets and balloon cars with launch statistics

  • Anatomy: Case study displays of surgeries and anatomical systems

  • Zoology & Biology: Classification of preserved animal specimens

  • Animal Care: Aquarium dioramas

  • Chemistry: Molecular models and self-grown borax crystals

  • History: Exhibits featuring Native American artifacts and visual storytelling

  • Art: Student generated fine art of varying mediums

Students have taken the lead in all aspects of the project, from cataloging specimens to exhibit design, gaining invaluable experience in curation, collaboration, and communication.

“The pride they have in their exhibits is phenomenal,” said Mr. Cherry. “This level of student ownership is rare, and it’s been key in sparking excitement across our school.”

The future is bright for the museum. Mr. Cherry envisions its expansion.

“This project is about more than science,” Mr. Cherry said. “It’s about empowering students to become creators, storytellers, and scholars. And we’re just getting started.”

student prepping to fill display casedisplay case of fossilsdisplay case of dino models

Looking Ahead: Professional Development and Community Engagement

On May 6, Mr. Cherry will present a professional development session for Northwest Local School District teachers to inspire replication of the project across other classrooms and buildings. This session will be held in room 223 at NWHS from 1 to 3 p.m.  He also plans to offer sessions for educators across Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana this summer along with a guided fossil collecting opportunity at Trammel Fossil Park.

Additional plans include working with the English Language Learners at Northwest to create Spanish translations of the exhibits, and the Career Center’s Digital Media class to develop a documentary-style video about the museum. Mr. Cherry and his students are also digitizing their projects, specimen catalogs and generating behind the scenes content for the museum’s web page which is currently under development at nwsciencemuseum.nwlsd.org.