This report presents the findings from a front-end evaluation for an exhibition about tuna, which is currently under development at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Visitors were intercepted on the second floor of the Aquarium and invited to view tuna in the big tank from the lower level of the Aquarium and to review, and ultimately select, one of six prototype interpretive panels, all of which were about different aspects of tuna. The evaluation goals for this study were to determine: • what visitors overall reactions are when they view the tuna in the big tank from the lower level of the aquarium
This article describes a front-end evaluation conducted by researchers at the Wildlife Conservation Society's Prospect Park Zoo in planning for the new "In Living Color" exhibit. The evaluation examined how the zoo's average young visitor--a 5.1 year old--thinks and feels about animal coloration.
This article describes an evaluation project that measured the effectiveness of particular communication strategies in the Kelp Forest feeding program at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. During the Kelp Forest program a volunteer guide (docent) delivers a narration about the Kelp Forest exhibit and has a conversation with a diver feeding the fish in the exhibit. The program concludes with the diver and the volunteer taking questions from the audience. The communication strategies measured in this study were identified by The Ocean Project (TOP), a collaborative initiative where the Monterey Bay
The purpose of this summative evaluation was to document visitors' use and impressions of Vanishing Wildlife immediately upon viewing the exhibit and, again, several months after their visit. In addition, staff members wanted to determine if the exhibit motivates visitors to perform specific conservation actions once they leave the aquarium. By collecting data three different ways (through timing and tracking observations, on-site exit questionnaires, and telephone questionnaires), and then comparing the results with data from Monterey Bay Aquarium (MBA) exit surveys, the evaluators were able
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Randi Korn & Associates, Inc.Monterey Bay Aquarium
Travelers and Hitchhikers: Links from Land to Sea is a 5,000 sq. ft. exhibit which will be housed at the New England Aquarium, with two additional 1,200-4,800 sq. ft. modules produced for exhibition at participating consortium and partnering venues. The exhibit will invite visitors to "travel" with sea turtles, frogs, and fish as they tell their stories of journeys through an interconnected mosaic of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine habitats. A fourth module will use aliens, or introduced exotic species, to illustrate the disruption caused when humans make inappropriate connections across habitats. The underlying theme and message for the visitor is the connection between aquatic biodiversity and their own everyday lives. The animals and the four (4) modules have been chosen to emphasize a different aspect of these interconnections among rivers, land, and sea. The traveling version can either stand alone as one (1) module telling one story or be installed with all four (4) in combination. Sea turtles will emphasize land to sea, the frogs from water to land, and the immersive environment of the fish will allow the visitor to experience the physical connections from stream to sea. Finally, the introduced species module will illustrate how ecosystems can become fragile and broken due to human action. It is expected that over 2,000,000 visitors will be informed of aquatic biodiversity through this exhibit. In addition, activity carts and educator resource kits will be produced to further enhance the message of biodiversity conservation to all audiences.
The New England Aquarium proposes to develop a traveling exhibition based on recent research implicating human activities in the worldwide increase in jellies. Humans are changing oceans so that they are becoming more suitable for jellies than for fish. The exhibition is expected to reach 12 million people -- primarily families with school-aged children -- across the nation. No jelly exhibit to date has shown jellies as important indicator species and ecosystem linchpins. Dissemination will include materials and programs for school and community outreach. A Sea Jelly Activity Kit and a community art/science program will be developed. In each year of the project approximately 100 urban teens will intern in the jelly culturing facility, where they can learn about the science of culturing jellies and present their experiences to the public.
The New York Aquarium, a subsidiary of the Wildlife Conservation Society, is developing Alien Stingers, a 4000 square foot, permanent exhibit featuring Cnidarians, jellyfish and their relatives. This exhibit will showcase species such as the purple stripe, umbrella and lion's mane jellies. Other animals to be presented include colorful sea anemones and live corals. Visitors will learn about Cnidaria and their habitats, ecological roles, adaptations and relationships with other ocean life. Endangered species, human impact on habitats and various conservation efforts will also be highlighted. The exhibit design will create a sense of wonder and mystery using dramatic lighting, music and unique displays. Moveable 3D models, interactive graphics and specially designed cylindrical tanks will result in an exhibit experience that stimulates curiosity and invites learning. The project has a comprehensive, multi-level evaluation plan structured around two exhibit openings. The first round of evaluation will look at the impact of two-dimensional graphics and prototype interactives. A second opening is planned which will add complex prototype interactives that are designed to present more intricate messages. Both layers of evaluation will be used to shape the permanent exhibit graphics and promote self-directed learning. A website with a live jelly-cam supports this exhibit, along with a host of educational programs and materials for various audiences. A family handbook, children's activity guides, visitor guides and a children's book on jellyfish are among the supplemental materials planned. It is anticipated that over 815,000 visitors will view Alien Stingers on an annual basis.