The Interactive Video Science Consortium is a non-profit group of fifteen science centers and museums that developed interactive video exhibits about Earth and Planetary sciences with two purposes in mind. One, the videodisc-based kiosk exhibits served as educational vehicles for four million visitors, representing the combined audiences of the fifteen participating museums. Two, through extensive testing and visitor research during the development process, the consortium members enlarged understanding of the appropriate and effective uses of the interactive video medium in science museums
This paper provides an overview of the Audience Research Consortium of Toronto, comprised of the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Metropolitan Toronto Zoo, the Ontario Science Center and the Royal Ontario Museum. These groups have a shared vision of attracting a larger and more diverse audience-one that includes nontraditional and multicultural groups. This paper outlines how this group developed, acquired funding, hired a consulting group, and created a proposal and research plan. Preliminary findings are also briefly summarized.
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Art Gallery of OntarioRoyal Ontario MuseumOntario Science CentreMetropolitan Toronto ZooWoods Gordon Management Consultants
resourceprojectProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
The American Association of Museums will conduct during 1989 and 1990 a comprehensive survey and data collection program on the status of American museums, establishing a baseline of data that will allow future comparisons on a consistent basis. Nearly every aspect of museums' organization, finances, and activities will be examined by this survey, guided by peer advice from each of the museum types, a national Steering Committee, and by consultants with substantials survey experience. The final products will include a public database, a summary report and accompanying technical reports, and a press release on the findings. The survey will encompass the universe of American museums, including a wide variety of science and technology related institutions and will complement the NSF-funded AS-TC science technology center survey of 1987-8. Independent scholars will be asked to carry out secondary analyses of the data, and in future years the survey will be updated with examinations of specific topics for further investigation. NSF support will amount to less than 10% of the total cost.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Patricia Williams
resourceprojectProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
This exploratory study is designed to determine attributes of large urban school districts which would maximize the probability of success for implementing and sustaining major educational reforms. The study will include personal interviews with key change agents in a number of such school districts where changes have been attempted and will identify attributes which lead to failure as well as those which lead to success. The project will culminate with a draft document of an "Urban School District Systemic Reform Initiative in Science and Mathematics" which incorporates findings, in NSF solicitation format.
The Interactive Video Science Consortium is a non-profit group of fifteen science centers and museums that proposes to develop interactive video exhibits about Earth and Planetary sciences with two purposes in mind. One, the video exhibits on the two subject areas will serve as educational vehicles for four million visitors, representing the combined audiences of the fifteen participating museums. Two, through extensive testing and visitor research during the development process the consortium members will enlarge understanding of the appropriate and effective uses of the interactive video medium in science museums. Consortium members will fund the costs of conducting research on the subject matter and producing the first two discs. The request to the National Science Foundation is for the systematic analysis of the effectiveness of this type of program and of the educational impact of the medium in science museums.