Although schools traditionally take their pupils to Natural History Museums, little has been elicited about either the overall content of the conversations generated by such groups or of the effect on content in the presence of an adult. Transcripts were coded using a systemic network which had been designed based on pilot studies. A range of variables was created from the coded data. The number of conversations that contained at least one reference to the designated categories were ascertained overall and those of the three sub-groups, pupils and teacher, pupils and chaperone and pupils alone
In this paper, researchers at the Brookfield Zoo present a case study in evaluating a technology project involving partnerships between museums and formal education. THe focus is on the multiple-method design, which was required in order to work with all participants, from funders to educators, to teachers and students. A set of tools, from traditional surveys through teacher-led performance assessments, was used to measure student learning, teacher satisfaction, and effective implementation of technology and museum content into quality Web pages. The authors share their experiences to help
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TEAM MEMBERS:
H. Elizabeth Stuart PerryCarol D. Saunders
In this paper, researchers from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, Denver Museum of Natural History (DMNH), and Colorado State University, present findings from two studies that established a link between certain design features commonly found in museum environments and the state of psychological flow. Study one observed visitor behavior in a museum hall at DMNH before and after renovation. The study found that after the design changes, visitors attended more to the exhibits. Study two, a post-hoc survey analysis, investigated which design features in particular are responsible for
In this paper, Kathryn Nelson of the University of Washington discusses her efforts to study visitor response to naturalistic exhibits. Nelson shares evaluation methods and findings of Northern Trail exhibit at the Woodland Park Zoological Gardens. The purpose of the study was to assess how well visitors responded to the exhibit's attractiveness, enjoyment potential, and animal well-being as well as evaluate whether visitors felt they learned facts or attitudes during their visit and their overall impressions of the exhibit.
In this paper, Patricia Jelen of the Morton Arboretum and Jeff Hayward of People, Places & Design Research explore the factors which affect the process of applying research results, including leadership, resources, and incentives for change. The authors discuss strategic planning and research efforts of the Morton Arboretum as an exemplar.
In this article, Kristine Westerberg discusses the Shedd Aquarium's new initiative for audience research and development and shares some preliminary findings from their initial efforts.
In this article, Carol D. Saunders and H. Elizabeth Stuart Perry of the Brookfield Zoo provide findings from the summative evaluation of "The Swamp." This immersive wetlands exhibit was designed to encourage people to appreciate the benefits of ecosystems and features animals and plants of a cypress swamp and of an Illinois riverine wetland.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Carol SaundersH. Elizabeth Stuart Perry
In this article, Barry Aprison, Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, discusses the museum's "Prenatal Development" display, one of the oldest science exhibits in the US. Aprison discusses the success of the exhibit and cites recent visitor evaluation studies.
The purpose of this study was to investigate a museum exhibition design assumption that visitors develop conceptual understanding of a science topic after utilizing a cluster of conceptually related exhibits which lack explicit concept labeling; also investigated was whether visitor concept development could be enhanced through the addition of explicit labeling about the intended conceptual messages. Two very different clusters of exhibits were selected for investigation: how transportation in Los Angeles affects air pollution (“Transportation”) and the conception and early development of
Birds in Forested Landscapes is a continentwide study to look at the effects of habitat - forest fragmentation, acid rain, recreation - on the breeding success of thrushes and hawks. BFL focuses on seven species of North American thrushes and two forest raptors. BFL is a breeding survey, so fieldwork starts after spring migration and wraps up before migration starts again in late summer. Observers broadcast audio recordings of mobbing calls to elicit a response from local birds, and describe the habitat at three geographic scales to help understand species' habitat requirements for successful breeding.
Amphibians represent an important part of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in the northeastern United States. The Northeast Temperate Network (NETN) monitors forest amphibian populations in order to track trends that may warn of ecosystem degredation and to direct conservation actions. Specifically, this monitoring program is designed to help scientists: 1. Determine changes in forest amphibian populations. 2. Establish and better understand correlations between forest amphibian population sizes and forest health. Salamander monitoring is attractive and appropriate for middle and high-school aged volunteers because activities take place in fall and spring when school is in session and because techniques are simple and straighforward.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
National Park ServiceBrian MitchellAdam Kozlowski