[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 150 (Tuesday, August 25, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E791]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF RACHEL MEYER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 25, 2020

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Rachel Meyer, 
Executive Director Emeritus of CuriOdyssey, a science playground and 
zoo for children ages 1 to 100. Rachel was executive director for 13 
years, 2007 to 2020. She recently departed to find new challenges, but 
she leaves a legacy of love and educational achievement.
  CuriOdyssey is nestled under the eucalyptus trees at Coyote Point in 
San Mateo. It's a spectacular setting for a science facility because 
the natural splendor of Coyote Point is itself something to behold.
  During her tenure, Rachel really put CuriOdyssey on the map. It went 
from being the Coyote Point Science Museum to being the place on the 
Peninsula to bring small children, and those a bit older, to learn 
about physics, math, animals and much, much more.
  CuriOdyssey is all about experience.
  Rachel Meyer brought exhibits to CuriOdyssey that challenged children 
to immerse themselves in science. Under Rachel, exhibits reflected how 
children learn--through touching, listening, drawing, reading, jumping, 
grabbing. Many museums are static with thick glass separating patrons 
and the exhibits. At CuriOdyssey, it was sometimes necessary to put a 
warning sign discretely on the exhibit so that smaller children 
wouldn't overwhelm the display by trying to physically engage with 
whatever was moving, popping, clanging, flashing, howling or flying.
  Rachel was a great fundraiser and under her leadership both 
attendance and donations soared. She invited the community to donate to 
an expanded CuriOdyssey and they responded with gusto. Her team of co-
workers were talented and dedicated. They raised enough money that a 
new facility will open this decade, dedicated to the belief that you 
can't shut down curiosity even during a pandemic.
  Science education is embedded in the DNA of the San Francisco 
Peninsula, home to some of Silicon Valley's greatest companies and to 
the faculty of many great universities, such as Stanford, the 
University of California, Berkeley or the University of California, San 
Francisco. These parents know quality science when they see it, and 
they came by the tens of thousands to witness the displays, and to 
teach their children, because of Rachel Meyer's energy and imagination.
  Rachel did not arise from a vacuum. She was the Executive Director of 
the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo for 11 years before her 13 years at 
CuriOdyssey. She learned about science education through studying under 
a master, Dr. Frank Oppenheimer of the Exploratorium in San Francisco.
  CuriOdyssey is a zoo as well as museum. The facility is home to 
animals injured and unable to return safely to the wild as well as 
those born in captivity. Rachel was an outstanding mother to them all 
even though, if asked, the porcupine might not concede the point.
  It takes a special kind of educator to lead an all-hands-on-deck 
institution like a children's experiential museum. Rachel was an 
outstanding choice. She never let a good deed by staff or board go 
unmentioned, never left a fundraising dime hidden beneath the cushions 
on the couch, and always used her love of learning through fun to guide 
CuriOdyssey.
  She is now on a new path in life but it's really the same path: 
Education and science. She will consult and stay close to CuriOdyssey. 
Indeed, the burrowing owls might otherwise wonder where their mentor 
has gone. So good was she at burrowing into the fabric of our lives 
that we can scarcely believe she left her station at Coyote Point. Good 
news for us all: The bald eagle will keep us apprised of the sightings, 
and comings and goings, of Rachel. Undoubtedly this noble bird will 
report that Rachel is up to great good in the years ahead.

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