The impact of four half-hour science programs aired on commercial children's radio was assessed by Dr. Barbara Flagg of Multimedia Research in a causal-comparative between-groups study with prebroadcast and postbroadcast questionnaires. Of 253 fourth graders, 34% listened to one or more shows of the Kinetic City Super Crew series. Significantly more girls listened than boys. Listeners and Non-listeners did not differ on background variables of ethnic status, science attitudes, science reading and television viewing, and participation in seven of eight common at-home science activities
This paper discusses the whole evaluation process and draws from a new communications evaluation program which covers live communication programs as well as exhibitions at Parks Canada, Quebec Region. This paper address the client's role and the evaluator's conduct: addressing a request, choosing a consultant, giving support, and applying results.
This paper presents an overview of methodology and findings from research that aimed to demonstrate, describe, and discuss actual cases of audience research conducted by museums with living collections (i.e. botanical gardens, arboreta, zoological parks, and aquaria). This research analyzes these museums' rationales for conducting evaluation studies, their chosen methods of implementation, the advantages and disadvantages of the chosen methods, and the consequences of the resulting data. The cumulative results of this research serve as a guide for professionals responsible for the operation of
This paper outlines findings from a 1990 survey conducted by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AAZPA), specifically related to the prevalence and value of teacher training programs at accredited AAZPA institutions.
This paper outlines the methodology and findings of a study that analyzed the effects of zoo-based educational approaches on the knowledge of, and attitude toward, wildlife conservation among Colombian fourth-grade students (9 to 11 years of age). The rationale behind the study was that direct experience, coupled with adequate preparation and reinforcement, should improve children's knowledge of, and attitudes toward wildlife.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Teresa Gutierrez de WhiteSusan K. Jacobson
This paper outlines the methodology and findings of a front-end evaluation conducted by staff at the Science Museum at the National Autonomous University of Mexico in preparation of opening a new Biodiversity Hall. Researchers surveyed junior high teachers and students to better understand this audience's attitudes about the environment, evolution, taxonomy, biodiversity, etc. as well as their general knowledge of these topics.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Silvia E. ZamoraSusana Lopez de LaraAdriana Bravo
In this paper, researchers from Colorado State University (CSU) discuss rising concern of public land managers, ranchers, and the general public about public lands grazing and the conflicts that arise between industry and recreation-seeking citizens. The authors present findings from a research project conducted under a cooperative agreement between the College of Natural Resources at CSU, the Grand Mesa/Uncompaghre National Forest, and the Rocky Mountain Forest Experiment Station. The first phase of this research was a visitor perception study conducted on the Big Cimarron Allotment in
This paper examines long term measures of self reported behavior changes after a visit to a botanic garden. These efforts analyze the effectiveness of botanic garden exhibits on focusing public attention on the issues of conservation. Key findings from a study at the "Endangered Island Plants" exhibit at the Chelsea Physic Garden are outlined.
In this paper, researchers at Colorado State University discuss the advantages of using Virtual Reality (VR) to promote science learning in museum environments. The authors define the four leading features of VR and human factors guidelines and show, from evaluation of Mead Diorama Hall at the Denver Museum of Natural History, how renovated exhibits fit the effective learning criteria which were developed through VR research. This paper will also present results, derived from methods used to study the immersion experience in museums, to demonstrate that the renovated museum Hall elicits an
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Mark HarveyAndrej BirjulinRoss Loomis
This paper discusses a research study that examined the effect of providing, or not providing, museum visitors with specific tasks for learning, in relationship to the visitor's task preference. This study was carried out at the Florida Museum of Natural History and made us of 11 static case exhibits, all of which addressed an aspect of Florida vertebrate or invertebrate biology. Findings from the study are reviewed as they pertain to the effects of visitor perceptions of museums and task preference.
This paper discusses a research study, conducted as part of a formative evaluation of an HIV/AIDS exhibit developed by the New York Hall of Science, a member of the National AIDS Exhibit Consortium, and designed to investigate two issues: (1) What is the current state of youth awareness of the mechanism by which condoms help prevent the spread of HIV and other STDs; and (2) Which of two exhibit designs most efficiently communicates concepts related to HIV sexual transmission prevention. This research was designed to determine whether misperception about HIV transmission prevention existed and
This paper discusses a collaboration between the Brooklyn Children's Museum and Brooklyn Botanic Garden on a series of educational programs and exhibits entitled "Breaking Ground." Developers aimed to create programs to teach basic science principles related to botany, ethnobotany, and urban ecology, promote urban children's understanding of the importance of plants to humans, biologically and culturally, and foster positive environmental ethics in children 6 to 12 years of age. Findings from a research study to support the development of these programs are briefly outlined in this paper.