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COMMUNITY:
Project Descriptions

Contextual Informal Science Learning through the Design and Construction of a New Building

June 1, 1999 - March 31, 2002 | Public Programs, Exhibitions
The New York Hall of Science is in the process of designing and constructing a 50,000 sq. ft. facility addition. This project, which could also be called project BUILD: Building Underway-Informal Learning Design, will take advantage of the inherent teaching and learning opportunities in science and engineering found in an authentic, real-time setting. A portable exhibit unit, fashioned after a construction-site fence with peepholes, will highlight aspects of technology, math, engineering, and materials sciences found in the building trades and architecture. Each peephole will display an artifact, text, image or interactive for the visitor and have specific learning outcomes defined during the development of the exhibit. Associated programing, in the form of Explainer demostrations, workshops, lectures, building trades career days, design, and hard hat tours will be created for three distinct audiences -- families, adolescents 11-14 (middle-school) and young adults 15-18 (high school). The exhibit and programs will evolve and amend themselves in tandem with the changeable timetables and nature of construction. Finally, a guidebook written on "how to" replicate these learning experiences, construct the exhibit fence for other venues, and partner with architects and tradespeople will be available to the wider museum and informal learning community.

Funders

NSF
Funding Program: ISE/AISL
Award Number: 9903498
Funding Amount: 873958

TEAM MEMBERS

  • John Hammer
    Principal Investigator
    New York Hall of Science
  • Discipline: Engineering | Mathematics | Technology
    Audience: Families | Middle School Children (11-13) | Youth/Teen (up to 17) | Museum/ISE Professionals
    Environment Type: Public Programs | Museum and Science Center Programs | Exhibitions | Museum and Science Center Exhibits

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