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COMMUNITY:
Formative

Research and Rolling Exhibits (RARE)

March 1, 2009 | Public Programs, Exhibitions
Columbia University Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) and New York Hall of Science (NYHOS) partnered to create Research and Rolling Exhibits (RARE). The project's goal is to showcase current research in science and make it accessible to the general public. Five Wondercarts were created over three years, from 2005 through 2008, highlighting topical scientific research and its relevance to the museum's target audience. The carts were programmed to engage families in conversation, letting their interest determine the direction of activities. In this manner Wondercarts differ from the Hall's scripted demonstrations, which tend to be one-way information delivery systems. Overarching Objectives: (1) Engage and educate the NYHOS's family audience using portable, changing, hands-on exhibits about current research in materials science. (2) Provide the Hall's Explainers, many of them minority students, with additional opportunities to explore current research in materials science and to build their skills and strategies for informal education through sharing their knowledge and technical skills with others. (3) Prepare science teachers to be better prepared to bring current knowledge in materials science that is interesting and relevant to understanding life on Earth to their classrooms. (4) Develop a model of University-Museum partnerships to bring current research to the public through museum exhibits and displays. The tests illustrated the power of allowing visitors (adults and children) to guide the flow of activity according to their immediate interests. Conversation between visitors and Explainers was the key to the success of the experience. The tests validated RARE's primary objective: engaging visitors in current scientific research, showing them that it is connected and relevant to their lives.

TEAM MEMBERS

  • REVISE logo
    Evaluator
  • New York Hall of Science
    Contributor
  • Kathleen Condon
    Evaluator
  • Citation

    Funders

    NSF
    Funding Program: OMA
    Award Number: 0525975
    Funding Amount: 322794
    Resource Type: Evaluation Reports
    Discipline: Chemistry | Ecology, forestry, and agriculture | Education and learning science | Health and medicine | Physics | Technology
    Audience: Elementary School Children (6-10) | Middle School Children (11-13) | Youth/Teen (up to 17) | Undergraduate/Graduate Students | Families | General Public | Museum/ISE Professionals | Evaluators
    Environment Type: Public Programs | Museum and Science Center Programs | Exhibitions | Museum and Science Center Exhibits

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