Leadership Briefing: Drexell Owusu, Perot Museum of Nature at Science
The Perot Museum's Role in Dallas STEM Education
Leadership Briefing | Event Date: August 11, 2025
The Perot Museum reaches far beyond its downtown building, serving over one million guests annually through programming that spans North Texas. Chief Learning Officer Drex Owusu shared how the institution tackles workforce development challenges while building stronger community connections.
Key Takeaways
The museum serves the entire Dallas region through both on-site and off-site programming, reaching communities that might never visit the building
STEM engagement is declining across North Texas counties from 2019 to 2025, regardless of income level
Corporate volunteer opportunities connect businesses directly with future workforce development
The upcoming Dallas ISD bond represents a chance to build educational infrastructure that meets business community needs
Museums can serve as bridges between current community needs and future workforce requirements
Addressing the STEM Skills Gap
Data shows troubling trends in STEM engagement across the region. Even affluent areas like Collin County are experiencing declines. This pattern threatens the economic competitiveness of North Texas, where technology roles increasingly drive job growth and higher wages.
The museum is launching a pilot program in Dallas public schools this fall to determine what level of exposure can reverse these trends. The timing is critical as every job becomes more technology-focused.
Community-Wide Programming
The museum's $2.5 million annual investment in financial aid ensures access for lower-income families and schools. About 6,000 free memberships support underserved communities, while bilingual programming and staff help serve the region's diverse population.
Recent renovations to the Moody Family Children's Museum demonstrate this inclusive approach. Designed for pre-readers, the space emphasizes hands-on exploration and social collaboration. During its summer reopening, the facility welcomed over 300,000 guests in 80 days.
Innovation Through Familiar Connections
The museum's upcoming soccer exhibition, launching in March 2026, connects familiar experiences to STEM careers. Rather than focusing on athletic participation, the exhibition showcases career paths in data analytics, engineering, medicine, and technology.
This bi-national collaboration with museums in New Zealand and Mexico City creates cultural exchange opportunities while maintaining focus on practical career applications.
Corporate Partnership Opportunities
Businesses can engage through multiple channels:
Volunteer programs offer companies opportunities to conduct science demonstrations and lead laboratory experiences. The museum's tech truck program brings education directly to corporate events and community festivals.
Sponsorship opportunities extend beyond funding to include expertise sharing and career exposure programs. Companies can demonstrate real-world applications while building relationships with future employees.
Educational partnerships allow businesses to showcase career pathways and connect employees with students exploring STEM fields.
Infrastructure Investment Ahead
Dallas ISD's upcoming bond program presents opportunities for business community engagement. With approximately $10 billion in identified needs and a current proposal of $4.8-4.9 billion, the district seeks employer input about workforce preparation requirements.
The average Dallas ISD school building is 50 years old, designed for 1970s education models. Modern learning environments require robust technology infrastructure, flexible collaborative spaces, updated systems, and enhanced safety features.
Owusu, who co-chaired the 2020 bond development process, pointed to the Career Institute North as an example of what's possible with updated educational infrastructure.
Building Community Connections
The museum's commitment to community-wide access influences all programming choices through bilingual staff hiring, Spanish-language experiences, and multilingual programming. Partnerships with early childhood education providers create pathways for families to connect with science education from childhood through high school. Recent initiatives include fitness collaborations offering unique experiences like yoga sessions in the museum lobby, showing a willingness to innovate while upholding the scientific mission. Museums, schools, and businesses can work together to tackle workforce challenges and strengthen communities. The upcoming bond election and ongoing growth in North Texas open opportunities for strategic investment in educational infrastructure that benefits both student development and business needs.
Event Sponsors
Haynes and Boone | Southwest Airlines | Cowles Thompson | Dallas College | DART