Skip to main content
COMMUNITY:
Project Descriptions

Public Education About Biodiversity

July 1, 1995 - December 31, 1998 | Exhibitions
The American Museum of Natural History is developing a 10,000 sq. ft. Hall of Life's Diversity that will interpret biodiversity, what it is, why it matters to humans, why it is under threat, and what can be done to mitigate the current pattern of extinctions. The hall will have the following sections: a) the Crisis Center that will serve as the orientation place for the exhibit and where the core principles of the exhibit will be interpreted, b) four interactive habitat models that depict major ecosystems, c) the Spectrum of Life, in which specimens, models, photographs, and interactive multimedia will be juxtaposed and will serve as a field guide to the array of animal and plant life on the planet, d) a Resource Center that is devoted to educational activities, and e) a theater/classroom space. The intended audience for the exhibit is people of all ages and learning styles. The exhibit will illuminate the crucial role that science plays in our everyday lives and will promote science literacy among adults and children. In addition to the main exhibit, there will be a broad menu of complementary programming including traveling versions of the exhibit, a teacher resource guide, and a teacher-training institute. The exhibit and complementary activities are to be coordinated with New York State's State Systemic Initiative program.

Funders

NSF
Funding Program: ISE/AISL
Award Number: 9453023
Funding Amount: 2091311

TEAM MEMBERS

  • Niles Eldredge
    Principal Investigator
    American Museum of Natural History
  • Samuel Taylor
    Former Principal Investigator
    American Museum of Natural History
  • Joel Cracraft
    Co-Principal Investigator
    American Museum of Natural History
  • Discipline: Ecology, forestry, and agriculture | Life science | Nature of science
    Audience: General Public | Educators/Teachers | Museum/ISE Professionals
    Environment Type: Exhibitions | Museum and Science Center Exhibits

    If you would like to edit a resource, please email us to submit your request.