The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis Welcomes Dr. Ann Taylor as 2026 Visiting Scientist
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis Welcomes Dr. Ann Taylor as 2026 Visiting Scientist
To support girls and women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis offers the Eli Lilly and Company Visiting Scientist program, featuring a different female STEM professional each year. For 2026, The Children’s Museum is proud to announce that our Visiting Scientist is Dr. Ann Taylor!
Dr. Ann Taylor is an educator, scientist, and community volunteer who loves helping others understand the world around them. She is currently a Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana, where she has taught for many years and served in several leadership roles.
“So many of our everyday decisions are affected by and intertwine with scientific concepts that it’s important for everyone to understand how scientific discoveries are made and the role that STEM plays in our lives,” said Dr. Taylor.
It's clear that Dr. Ann Taylor is passionate about helping children connect science to the world around them. She especially enjoys creating learning experiences that blend curiosity, nature, and discovery – whether through hands-on biochemistry activities or exploring how plants protect themselves.
“The Children’s Museum is such a wonderful place for people of all ages to explore the world,” continued Dr. Taylor. “Good children’s programming appeals to all ages and backgrounds, and The Children’s Museum does this so well. I look forward to encouraging children and their caregivers to be scientists, to ask questions about the world around them and conduct experiments to find answers.”
Her dedicated scientific research explores how plants recognize and defend themselves against pathogens and how they communicate with one another – interests that began when she grew up on a farm and witnessed many of the family’s trees succumb to Dutch Elm Disease. She has written numerous classroom case studies on agriculture, biotechnology, and hands-on science learning, and she serves on the editorial review board for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education. She is also a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission, the regional organization that accredits colleges and universities.
The Children’s Museum and the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation are committed to showcasing successful women in STEM as positive role models. The two believe that to support girls and young women in their exploration of STEM, it’s vital to provide them with opportunities to interact with and learn from women working in and making significant contributions to, STEM fields and concepts.
Dr. Taylor concluded, “As a Girl Scout leader, I’ve seen the importance of hands-on learning experiences to keep girls’ interest in STEM through puberty, when there is often a drop-off in confidence and interest. STEM is found throughout our everyday lives. Understanding these underlying concepts and how scientists make discoveries helps everyone be better problem solvers, citizens and consumers.”
Join Dr. Ann Taylor and learn at several of her free Visiting Scientist programs throughout the year, including at STEM Exploration Day on March 21.
