Summary
On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Sam Dean, the Founding Executive Director of the Scott Family Amazeum, a hands-on museum for children and families. The Amazeum features approximately fifty thousand square feet of exhibits meant to enhance family involvement while bringing learning to life and evoking a sense of curiosity. Sam is passionate about creating opportunities that encourage the community to engage in arts and sciences in an effort to further explore the world around us. Throughout the episode, James and Sam discuss the goal of the Scott Family Amazeum, why Bentonville is the perfect location and how the Amazeum does its best to interact with the community.

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‍Show Notes
(0:51) Introduction to Sam
(1:38) Sam’s Background
(11:10) About the Scott Family Amazeum
(15:13) From Idea to Exhibit
(21:03) Connecting with the Community
(22:28) Why Bentonville Stands Out
(25:13) The Perfect Weekend in Northwest Arkansas
(28:18) #BecauseBentonville Story
(30:49) The Future of the Amazeum
(32:54) Closing Questions
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‍Links
JAMES BELL‍‍
‍BENTONVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT‍‍‍
‍‍SAM DEAN
SCOTT FAMILY AMAZEUM

Quotes
“We’re about sparking and nurturing the curious and creative spirit in all of us…it’s a place that’s about having questions and the opportunity and time to be able to explore those questions whether it’s hands on, hearts on, [or] minds on.” – Sam Dean, (11:28)

“The special sauce is that there are so many amazing folks in this community. I’ll say two things. One, this community wants to work together. You can feel it here that people are collectively trying to advance this whole region…and people are accessible. They answer the phone.” – Sam Dean, (22:30)

“We want to keep doubling down. You should have an amazing moment whenever and wherever you are. Whether you’re out around a square for a festival or whether you’re at home playing with rice and beans and want to learn how to count and sort. You should be able to have these amazing experiences.” – Sam Dean, (31:51)

Sparking and Nurturing Creativity through Arts and Sciences
On this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Sam Dean, the Founding Executive Director of the Scott Family Amazeum, a hands-on museum for children and families. The Amazeum features approximately fifty thousand square feet of exhibits meant to enhance family involvement while bringing learning to life and evoking a sense of curiosity. Sam is passionate about creating opportunities that encourage the community to engage in arts and sciences in an effort to further explore the world around us. Throughout the episode, James and Sam discuss the goal of the Scott Family Amazeum, why Bentonville is the perfect location and how the Amazeum does its best to interact with the community.‍‍‍
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Encouraging Playful Exploration
The Scott Family Amazeum’s mission is to ignite curiosity through playful exploration and to educate children in the best way possible for whatever lies ahead. The Amazeum’s interactive exhibits allow visitors to engage with the land, industries and people who are the foundation of Arkansas’s culture and that help sustain it. Exhibits include the General Mills Lift, Load and Haul; a Market sponsored by Walmart; Nature Valley Water Amazements; a Hershey’s Lab and more.

“We’re about sparking and nurturing the curious and creative spirit in all of us…it’s a place that’s about having questions and the opportunity and time to be able to explore those questions whether it’s hands on, hearts on, [or] minds on.” – Sam Dean, (11:28)
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Along with the Amazeum’s wide variety of indoor exhibits, there is approximately one acre of outdoor space that can be accessed year-round. It provides a backdrop for experiences and experiments that are inspired by the four seasons. Furthermore, the Amazeum boasts a venue where organizations and businesses can host gatherings and special events.
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Building a More Adventurous Future
In order to provide the best experience possible, the Scott Family Amazeum also employs trained play facilitators and educators whose sole intent is to nurture the experimental learning environment. Moreover, the Amazeum offers a multitude of educational programs like hands-on camps, workshops for Scout troops, adventures for homeschooled students and family programs.
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In addition, the Scott Family Amazeum also partakes in professional development opportunities for almost nine hundred teachers every year and continues to work with school districts to rethink, design and build educational buildings. In the near future, we can expect to hear announcements from the Amazeum regarding indoor and outdoor expansion efforts and more opportunities in the region for children and adults to learn how to work with their hands.

“We want to keep doubling down. You should have an amazing moment whenever and wherever you are. Whether you’re out around a square for a festival or whether you’re at home playing with rice and beans and want to learn how to count and sort. You should be able to have these amazing experiences.” – Sam Dean, (31:51)
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Get Connected!
‍Thanks for tuning in to this episode of The Bentonville Beacon! Join us weekly for more stories from entrepreneurs and business leaders who are making a positive impact on Bentonville’s culture, community and lifestyle. Don’t forget, Bentonville is a place where you can have more of what you want and less of what you don’t! You may reach James at JBELL@GREATERBENTONVILLE.COM or (479) 273-2841.