Global Soundscapes: Mission to Record the Earth: Summative Evaluation of Interactive Theater Show + YELL Activities

Supported by the National Science Foundation, the Global Soundscapes! Big Data, Big Screens, Open Ears project employs a variety of informal learning experiences to present the physics of sound and the new science of soundscape ecology. The interdisciplinary science analyzes sounds over time in different ecosystems around the world. The major components of the Global Soundscapes project are an educator-led interactive giant-screen theater program and hands-on group activities. Multimedia Research, an independent evaluation firm, implemented a summative evaluation with low income, inner-city minority students at the Gulf Coast Exploreum in Mobile, AL, and the EcoTarium in Worcester, MA. Using observations and post- experience questionnaires, the evaluation assessed the influence on 67 fifth and sixth grade students of a 45-minute interactive, sound-based, giant-screen theater experience followed by 45 minutes of sound-related activities. The general goals of the evaluation were to assess student appeal, engagement and interest; knowledge of the basic physics of sound and soundscapes; and potential future behavior related to soundscape ecology.

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