The John Bartley Science Museum is part of MCC’s ongoing dedication to science education in our community. Free interactive exhibits engage children and adults with fascinating hands-on science stations. Visitors may wish to also see a planetarium show while on campus; click here for more information about the planetarium.
2023-2024 Exhibit: Energy Exploration, opening August 28th
Hours:
Monday 9:00am-4:00pm
Tuesday 9:00am-7:00pm
Wednesday 9:00am-4:00pm
Thursday 9:00am-7:00pm
Admission:
Free and open to the public.
Location:
Room 1073 (across from Carr-Fles Planetarium)
221 S. Quarterline Rd.
Muskegon, MI 49442
For More Information:
Contact the museum secretary, Tamera Owens, tamera.owens@muskegoncc.edu, (231) 777-0289.
The Bartley Legacy

Dr. John Bartley
The museum continues Dr. John Bartley’s legacy of scientific outreach. John was a scientific researcher in the world of bryozoans, which are aquatic invertebrate animals sometimes called “moss animals.” His love for science included the Science Olympiad, and for many years he volunteered as the president of the Michigan Science Olympiad.
From 1989 to 2011, John taught geology and math at MCC. He was highly revered by his students, who gave affectionately nicknamed him “The Big Kahuna” for his Hawaiian shirts lovingly made every year by his wife, Jackie. He was equally beloved by MCC’s faculty and staff for his kind and gentle manner, for his service on many committees, and as a chair of the Math and Physical Sciences Department. Unfortunately, just a few months shy of his retirement in 2011, John was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and succumbed to the disease shortly thereafter. The museum is now in his former classroom.
Donate Now!
Help support this valuable resource to our community! Contributions to the John Bartley Science Museum are being accepted in a number of ways:
- Online donation by clicking on the “Donate Now” button below
- Charge by phone at (231) 777-0226, or
- By mail to:
Foundation for Muskegon Community College
Muskegon Community College
Room 2109L
221 S. Quarterline Road
Muskegon, MI 49442
Make your check payable to: Foundation for Muskegon Community College and write John Bartley Science Museum in the memo line.