Dr. Megan Pratt always makes an effort to meet with international exchange participants, both professionally and also informally as a dinner host or host parent for youth exchanges. She and her family all routinely express their excitement when a new group comes to town.
As the founder of the Pensacola MESS (Math, Engineering, Science, and Stuff) Hall, Dr. Pratt created a hands-on science museum focused on educating adults and children alike. The museum uses mess kits and individual science activities and provides all the resources needed for the wonders of exploration. The MESS Hall also holds camps and classes to provide youth a safe place to learn and interact.
According to Dr. Pratt, the MESS Hall provides exchange participants with a “casual forum to interact with each other and learn,” while sharing mutual best practices. Her interactions with International Visitor Leadership Program and Open World groups have been mutually beneficial, giving both Dr. Pratt and exchange professionals ideas. “It gets us to think about things in a different context. It’s almost like having a professional reviewer giving us different ways we can serve our local community.” Her hope for each group is that time at the MESS Hall may help visitors approach STEM in a more accessible manner, leading to little science programs across the globe.
When international visitors join her family for dinners or spend time in their home as part of the family, Dr. Pratt appreciates how it gives her new insight to current events happening around the world because “it helps you picture real people living real lives behind the lines on paper.” She has also found that these interactions allow her to become more aware of different aspects of American culture such as being more aware of the number of American flags displayed everywhere and what truly constitutes an American meal.
To see how the MESS Hall uses interactive exhibits to encourage interest in STEM, you can visit its website at www.pensacolamesshall.org. It is not hard to imagine why international visitors love to spend time with Dr. Pratt & this engaging museum.
Dr. Pratt speaks to IVLP alumnae attending the 2020 Hidden No More reunion.