In this article, Jacksonville State University's Amy Cota summarizes a 1984 "British Journal of Psychology" article written by M.B. Alt and K.M. Shaw, in which the authors attempt to classify museum exhibits in terms of "the way they are perceived by museum visitors." Cota discusses how this research suggests that there are a number of exhibit factors of greater importance than interaction or participation.
In this article, Jacksonville State University's Stephen Bitgood discusses three aspects of designing effective exhibits: (1) the possible criteria for assessing the success of an exhibit; (2) common exhibit design approaches or strategies; and (3) the research and evaluation strategies used to gather information on exhibit effectiveness. Bitgood argues that a better understanding of these three issues can lead to more thoughtful design of exhibits, more careful consideration of approaches, and more reliable and valid measures of success.
Almost every metropolitan area has an informal science setting, such as a natural history museum, zoo, science center or planetarium (Laetsch et al, 1980). Visitor demographics over the years have consistently shown that family groups constitue approximately 60% of all visitors to these settings (Bickford et al, 1992; Balling et al, 1985; Alt, 1980; Laetsch et al, 1980; Ham, 1979; Borun, 1977; Cheek et al, 1976). U.S. Bureau of the Census statistics in 1984 indicated that museum-going was rapidly becoming the single most popular, out-of-the-home family activity in American and this was
Constraints on learning, rather than being unique to evolutionarily privileged domains, may operate in nonprivileged domains as well. Understanding of the goals that strategies must meet seems to play an especially important role in these domains in constraining the strategies even before they use them. THe presente experiments showed that children can use their conceptual understanding to accurately evaluate strategies that they not only do not yet use but hat are more conceptually advanced than the strategies they do not use. In Experiment 1, 5-year-olds who did not yet use the min strategy
Classic article from the Journal of Visitor Behavior (1994) which discusses different approaches to exhibit design. The author cites considerable historical research, including one of the earliest visitor studies from 1935 about how visitors engage with exhibits. Very thorough analysis and critique of quantitative and qualitative evaluation techniques and when to apply them during exhibit design. Useful for exhibit design teams and anyone involved with designing exhibits for museums and galleries.
The British Trust for Ornithology monitors the changing fortunes of those birds that use our gardens through the BTO Garden BirdWatch. The project involves more than 16,000 garden birdwatchers, all collecting simple information on the birds using their gardens throughout the year. This information also enables us to find out how birds use different types of gardens and how this use varies across Britain and Ireland. Garden BirdWatch is the largest year-round study of garden birds (and other garden wildlife) anywhere in the World.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
The British Trust for OrnithologyMike Toms
The Minnesota Loon Monitoring Program (MLMP) is a long-term project of the Minnesota DNR. Hundreds of volunteer observers annually gather information about common loon numbers on more than 600 lakes in six regions of the state. Volunteers visit each lake for one morning in early July, count the number of adult & juvenile loons seen, and report these observations to the DNR for analysis. The MLMP provides the DNR with the ability to detect changes in the population and reproductive success of the state's common loons, and to anticipate any problems that could jeopardize the future of Minnesota's state bird.
This report presents the findings from a front-end evaluation for Stormy Weather, a major traveling exhibition on severe storms. This exhibition is being developed through a collaboration among the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, National Museum of Natural History, St. Louis Science Center, and National Severe Storms Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The purpose of conducting a front-end evaluation is to better understand visitors' perceptions and their baseline knowledge regarding a particular subject--in this case, severe storms. The
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Randi KornSmithsonian InstitutionSusan Ades
The ASPIRA Association, Inc., proposes to develop a national applicable model of community-based model to increase the number of Latino middle-school youths with adequate preparation in math and science education. Latino community-based organizations are uniquely capable of reaching youth that are often difficult to reach by non-Latino organizations. The importance of out-of-school informal science experiences for young people to reinforce their interest in science and mathematics is of interest to the National Science Foundation, and to the ASPIRA Association. However, not enough is known about what works in informal science in the Latino community and with the Latino students. The ASPIRA Association is requesting support from the National Science Foundation to undertake a project to answer the following question: How can informal science programs have a greater impact on Latino middle school youth in science and mathematics? The perceived benefits of the project are: Identification of exemplary informal science education efforts undertaken by organizations in working with Latino youths. Identification of effective curriculum models in informal science education for reaching Latino youths. Identification of characteristics of successful programs. Encouraging partnerships among CBOs, educators, schools and family. Identification of supplemental resources for supporting informal science education programs. ASPIRA is the only national nonprofit organization devoted to serving Puerto Rican and other Latino youth through leadership development and education. With a thirty-one year old track record of proven effectiveness, ASPIRA's work with Latino youths is based on the belief that all youths can succeed.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Janice Petrovich
resourceprojectProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
In 1988 and 1989, ASTC offered a seven-day institute for founders of new science centers, funded by the National Science Foundation. The impact of these institutes was profound, making the difference between success and failure for several, and helping many others clarify and strengthen their plans. Since then demand for technical assistance to new science centers has increased rather than decreased. Building on its experience, ASTC proposes a 3-1/2 year multiple-strategy program to provide knowledgeable, supportive guidance to the founders of new science centers. The elements are: (1) a 4-day workshop on how to start a science center; (2) a resource book on starting and operating science centers; (3) a network for new science centers which meets at the ASTC annual conference for mutual support and information sharing; (4) one-day workshops held in Conjunction with the ASTC conference and planned by the steering committee of the New Science Center Network; (5) increased coverage in the ASTC Newsletter; (6) an annual progress report on new science centers; and (7) on-going, individualized technical assistance.
The Franklin Institute Science Museum in Philadelphia, PA requests NSF support for a three-year model program entitled "Partnerships for Acheiving Careers in Technology and Science" (PACTS). Building upon a successful pilot project involving African-American students and mentors, PACTS aims to foster positive attitudes about science careers and increase students leadership skills and self-estee. Through bi-weekly hands-on science workshops with African-American Scientists as mentors, students will strengthen their understanding of science concepts and enhance their critical thinking skills. On alternate Saturdays, students will participate in college/career workshops. PACTS students will also have the opportunity to tutor younger students, visit science laboratories, and serve as science museum demonstrators. Additional support and encouragment will be provided through a network of community resources involving partnerships among scientists, professional associations, community centers, corporations and a science center. The PACTS model will be disseminated nationally through museum conferences, the national networks of professional associations and corporations, and presentations by PACTS staff to interested organizations in other cities.