This paper examines the summative evaluations of two exhibits at the Please Touch Museum: "Foodtastic Journey" and "Gateway to China". By contrasting and comparing the most and least engaging components of these two exhibits, a theoretical framework is being built for assessing the effectiveness of exhibits for young children.
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
In this article, Mary Stewart Miller, evaluator at the Cumberland Science Museum, discusses evaluation methods involving child visitors as well as adults. Stewart Miller shares methodology and findings from an evaluation of the museum's "Brain" exhibit, a study which involved interviewing children ages eight to thirteen.