GNY EP.147 | Visiting The MOST with Lauren Kochian
<p>Inside The MOST: Syracuse’s Armory Turned Science Museum, the Micron Exhibit, and How to Get Involved Host Mike Ndii visits The MOST in downtown Syracuse and interviews president Lauren Cochen during the museum’s busiest week of the year while school is out. Cochen explains the building’s history as the original Armory Square armory—over 115 years old, nearly 100,000 square feet, and once used for events like the Bowling Congress, the circus, and Syracuse’s former NBA Nationals—before The MOST moved in during the early 1990s. She shares her career path from sports PR and marketing to nonprofit fundraising, including roles at Syracuse Stage and Arc of Onondaga, leading to her recruitment to The MOST and promotion to president about six years ago. Cochen describes The MOST as a children-focused science museum and a New York State Board of Regents chartered educational institution centered on informal, hands-on science education aligned with K–8 New York State science standards, supported by a 10-person education team. She highlights community-reflective exhibits and partnerships, including Machines and Makers with local manufacturers, a life sciences exhibit, and a new farming and agriculture exhibit, Onondaga Grown presents Grow, featuring a farmer’s market, crop rotation, and indigenous agricultural innovation. The episode details the museum’s size (35,000–40,000 square feet of exhibit space across three levels) and the National Grid Explorer Dome with digital laser projection and hourly shows. Cochen discusses the first-of-its-kind Micron semiconductor exhibit, including a model of Micron’s future campus, interactive touchscreens on chips and memory, chemistry and careers content, and a daily noon “Micron skills bar” led by education staff; she notes the exhibit was built with an advisory committee including engineers and teachers. She also covers exhibit planning criteria, including the challenge of adding math-focused permanent exhibits due to cost. The conversation includes field trip programming (open to the public four days a week but available to schools and groups seven days a week), birthday parties with science demo options, and STEM programs that include museum admission. Cochen encourages membership (four levels, starting around $69/year) with perks like free admission, discounts, and free parking, and notes the nonprofit relies on donations for about half its annual budget. She lists ways to support The MOST via <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://most.org">most.org</a>, major fundraisers (Chocolate Discovery, Savoring Science in June, Tap Into the MOST in September), and upcoming events including celebrity bartending at Kitty Hoynes on March 12 with Senator Chris Ryan, Alex Canavan, and Jim Cosey, plus a May the Fourth Star Wars movie fundraiser on May 2. Social handles are @mostsyracuse, and Mike closes with Good News York episode and social information. 00:00 Welcome to Good News York at The MOST (Armory Square) 00:54 Inside the Historic Armory: How the Building Became The MOST 02:16 Meet President Lauren Kochian: From Sports PR to Nonprofit Leadership 04:52 What Is The MOST? Hands-On Science Learning for Kids (and Adults) 06:58 Community-Powered Exhibits: Local Industry, Agriculture & Makers 08:32 How Exhibits Get Built: Educators, Advisory Committees & Micron in the Classroom 10:51 Choosing the Right Topics: Dinosaurs, Space, Nature—and the STEM ‘Math’ Challenge 14:21 How Big Is The MOST? Floors, Exhibit Space & the Explorer Dome 15:29 Micron Exhibit Deep Dive: Semiconductors, Careers & the Daily Skills Bar 17:52 Planning Your Visit: Busy Seasons, School Groups, Field Trips & Hours 19:22 Birthdays, Programs & Member Perks (Including Parking) 20:15 Support The MOST: Memberships, Donations, Fundraisers & Socials 23:31 Final Thanks + Where to Follow Good News York</p>
