This paper presents the methodology and findings of the formative and summative evaluation of the "Kongo Ranger Station" interactive interpretive displayed located in the new "Africa Rain Forest" exhibit at the Metro Washington Park Zoo. This display focuses on conservation, natural history and cultural issues in West and Central Africa.
In this paper, Margaret Marino of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History discusses methodology and findings of an extensive summative evaluation of the "Horse Tales--An Evolutionary Odyssey" exhibit. This permanent exhibition on the history, biomechanics and importance of the horse in the southwest premiered at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History before it was moved to the new Anne C. Stradling Museum of the Horse in Ruidoso, New Mexico. The appendix of this paper includes the observation forms and visitor survey used in the study.
This paper discusses how audience research can help staff at historic houses monitor the quality of their offerings and attract visitors. It provides a review of evaluation efforts at one historic house, the Moody Mansion and Museum, from the perspective of the museum director, Patrick H. Butler III, as well as an evaluator, Ross J. Loomis of Colorado State University, who worked with Butler and other museum staff. This paper includes questions from a short visitor survey used in the research.
This paper presents strategies for audience development, using a research project of the Toronto Historical Board as an illustration. The project was comprehensive, and this paper focuses on some of the strategies used for development of the research design, the methodology and applications of the results. These strategies can be used by others facing the challenges of audience development. The paper is organized into four parts: 1. Definition of the audience development problem; 2. Strategic decisions for developing the research design for audience development; 3. Outcomes and impacts of
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Rosalyn RubensteinLeslie MunroKaren Black
This paper discusses a recent effort by staff at the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village to systematically re-research and reassess every key structure in the Village. During this project, staff discovered that the current interpretation of the Mattox House was seriously incorrect. It was decided that a new exhibit would be developed to replace this inaccurate representation. This paper briefly outlines the seven different types of research that were conducted during this redevelopment process, describing for each the purpose, and the ways in which each influenced the development of the
In this paper, Florence Bramley of The Graphic Group explains and explores the role of humor in education. Bramley discusses the value of weaving laughter into graphics and presentations to reach audiences in unexpected ways.
In this article, Jacksonville State University's Stephen Bitgood describes a study that investigated the impact of a museum visit on university students. Bitgood's report focuses on the racial similarities and differences in the students' responses.
In this article, Jacksonville State University's Stephen Bitgood and Don Thompson address the issue of how museums can appeal to multicultural audiences and assess the impact of their attempts to attract new audiences. Bitgood and Thompson outline a four-step process for addressing problems of multicultural audiences.
In this article, Don Thompson summarizes a 1993 article featured in the "Visitor Studies: Theory, Research, and Practice" journal, written by G. Donald Adams. Adams describes a project at the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, in which newly discovered historical research guided the development and marketing of the Mattox House and African-American exhibit. Adam presents seven different types of research that were conducted during the project.
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Don ThompsonVisitor Studies Association
Green City Data is an after-school community service project. Teams of secondary students are trained to inventory urban natural areas selected by regional resource planning agencies to supplement their own data collection efforts. Representatives from seven agencies and educational institutions initiated this project to support development of a system of greenspaces within the Portland, Oregon/Vancouver, Washington metropolitan area. This consortium includes expertise in resource management, geography, biology, computer telecommunications, science education and community coordination. These and other community professionals tech students and volunteer team leaders (teachers or other adults) the basics of habitat identification and mapping in the context of regional planning. ***
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Gail WhitneyMichael HouckJames GillenJoseph PoracskyEllen Lanier-Phelps
NEON, Inc. a not-for-propfit corporation, proposes a television series for children, initiallyu 30 programs, suitable for daily or weekly broadcast, for home viewing via PBSA (with appropriate availability elsewhere). Program length: 30 Minutes. The premise: Three Wufniks--creatures from the cartoom world--draw their way into our world and with the help of children, undertake the adventure of finding our what it's all about. Thesek characters (played by adult professional performers in structurally sophisticated fantasy/animal costumes), move from dthe uncertain world of animated film into a range of encounters with ourrock-solid environment, get to know children and adults, scientists and laypeople, and must continually reconstruct their naive theories and their image of life on earth. The concept, designed to appeal to five- to nine-olds, combines education with entertainment (and is inclusive of other age groups, such as parents, to enhance educational effect). School and other non-broadcast distribution of program elements is planned, plus ancillary materials including computer software and print. The educational approach is interdisciplinary, with emphasis both on content and the development of positive attitudes towards science and mathematics; sub-objectives geography and history. The Principal Investigators are a television producer experienced in science programming for children, and a scientist with extensive children's educational television background. Program appeal for girls and minorities is integarl to the design; project staff will also cover a broad spectrum. Encouragement of science-and math-related audience activities is a project objective. Planning includesds extensive outreach and promotion related to the show premise.
The Science Museum of Minnesota (SMM) will develop an interdisciplinary national traveling exhibition about raptors (birds of prey). Created in collaboration with The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota (TRC) and the Museum Magnet School of the St. Paul School District, this exhibit and its related programs will explore themes of biodiversity, ecology, and human relationships with the natural world. It will help visitors understand raptors as diverse, charismatic, biologically-complex animals whose continued survival is linked to fundamental questions of public policy, economics, and environmental ethics. combining the perspectives of the sciences with those of the humanities, the exhibit will present science in a real-world context of human values and actions. Opening at SMM in the summer of 1944, the 5,000-square-foot exhibit will travel for five years or more to other large museums, nature centers, and zoos throughout the U.S. Using specimens, models, artifacts, dioramas, audiovisual programs, and interactive components and supported by theater, demonstrations, and a variety of other on-site programs, it will provide a compelling mix of informal learning experiences for families, school groups, and other general audiences. Beyond the museum walls, the themes of the project will reach schools and other important outreach audiences through videotapes, teacher training programs, educational materials, and other programs. SMM will also produce a scaled-down version of the exhibit that will tour to smaller museums, nature centers, and zoos.