Tellus Science Museum has received two awards, including institution of the year, at the Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries annual conference. `There are many great museums in Georgia, and to be selected as the institution of the year is a great honor. This is a great reflection on who we are and what we do,` said Tellus Executive Director Jose Santamaria.

`Tellus is a team effort. Many people share in this award, and I would like to express my sincere appreciation to our staff, volunteers, board, and members. We are all part of this success.`

Tellus astronomer David Dundee received the lifetime achievement award in recognition of his nearly four decades of work in museums such as Tellus, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Fernbank Science Center.

`I am honored to receive this prestigious award,` Dundee said. `I am truly blessed to have had a career doing something I truly love to do.`

Dundee is a two-time president and vice president of GAMG and was awarded the individual museum professional of the year award twice in the past 17 years. He joined Tellus before it opened in 2009 and helped set up observatory and the planetarium, as well as space-based curriculum used in many school programs.

Tellus is a world-class 120,000 square foot museum located in Cartersville, GA just off I-75 at exit 293. The museums exhibits open minds and ignite a passion for science. Tellus features four main galleries: The Weinman Mineral Gallery, The Fossil Gallery, Science in Motion and The Collins Family My Big Backyard. A 120-seat digital planetarium and an observatory with a state-of-the-art 20-inch telescope are also located at Tellus.

The museum is located just off I-75 in northwest Georgia. More information is available at www.tellusmuseum.org or by calling 770-606-5700.