Over The Peanut Fence

Marilynne Eichinger has been an active supporter of hands-on learning throughout her career as both a mother and museum professional. Graduating magna-cum-laude from Boston University with an emphasis on anthropology, she went on to receive a master's degree in psychology from Michigan State University. In 1972 Eichinger founded Impression 5 Science Museum in Lansing, Michigan. She left in 1985 to become president of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), one of the nation's oldest and most renowned science centers. During her tenure she spearheaded building a 250,000 sq. ft facility and workshop on Portland's waterfront. She acquired a submarine from the Navy, installed a large format theater and a planetarium. Eichinger is known for expanding OMSI's traveling exhibit service, education programs, and outreach to those in poverty. She worked with Native-American, African-American, and Hispanic groups to initiate activities that met their needs. With assistance from 22 national museums, Eichinger left OMSI in 1995. She established the nationally circulated Museum Tour Catalog in order to bring educational material to over two million households. Ever mindful of those without means, her company adopted an elementary school serving low-income families. Her business sold in 2014 giving her more time to paint and write. Works of art can be seen on her web site at eichingerfineart.com. In 2016 Eichinger published Lives of Museum Junkies-the Story of America's Hands-On Education Movement. In it she gives a humorous behind the scenes look at the difficulties of developing a large science center. In 2018 she contributed to Homeostasis and Novelty, a compilation for educators by Professor Phyllis Katz, University of Maryland. Eichinger is the mother of five adult children and eight grandchildren. She and her partner reached out to invite a twenty-year-old street youth to live in their home. Over the course of five years the couple mentored the young man, helping him overcome a traumatic childhood. His difficulties along with four years of research into runaways and youth homelessness are the subject of Over the Peanut Fence: Scaling Barriers for Homeless and Runaway Youths.