This study analyzes the short-term consequences of visitors' use of different types of exhibits (i.e., “exemplars of phenomena” and “analogy based”) together with the factors affecting visitors' understanding of and their evaluation of the use of such exhibits. One hundred and twenty five visitors (either alone or in groups) were observed during their interaction and interviewed immediately afterwards. Findings suggest that the type of exhibit constrains the nature of the understanding achieved. The use of analogical reasoning may lead to an intended causal explanation of an exhibit that is an
In April 2009, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS) opened an innovative human biology exhibition with a focus on health: Expedition Health. The visitor experience is themed around a climb up Mount Evans—one of Colorado’s well known “fourteeners” (14,258 feet in elevation). The exhibition utilizes nine real‐life Coloradans as “expedition buddies”—virtual learning companions who accompany visitors throughout the exhibition. The exhibition combines hands‐on, fullbody activities and real anatomical specimens throughout five different specialized learning environments. These environments
DATE:
TEAM MEMBERS:
Denver Museum of Nature & ScienceSteven YalowitzClaudia Figueiredo
In 2007, Chabot Space & Science Center, with partners LodeStar Astronomy Center and the Institute for Learning Innovation, received a National Science Foundation grant (#0610253) to develop, create, distribute, and conduct research on a full-dome planetarium show titled Tales of the Maya Skies. This physically immersive show was designed to transport viewers to ancient Maya civilizations and to push the boundaries of narrative approach in planetariums by presenting the film with a “cultural wrapper” of the Maya people and their achievements in archaeo-astronomy. The research conducted three
The purpose of this paper is to familiarize instructional designers and researchers with a useful design and research paradigm known as 'Ask Systems.' Ask Systems are interrogative interfaces to information and learning environments that model conversations with a skilled, reflective practitioner (Schön, The reflective practitioner, ) or teacher. By selecting questions to answer, users access information or scaffolds that help them to solve a problem, perform a task, or comprehend domain knowledge. Ask Systems are potentially effective for designing interactive learning systems because
In this study, the instructional effectiveness of the planetarium in astronomy education was explored through a meta-analysis of 19 studies. This analysis resulted in a heterogeneous distribution of 24 effect sizes with a mean of +0.28, p<.05. The variability in this distribution was not fully explained under a fixed effect model. As a result, a random effects model was applied. However, a large random effect variance component indicated that study differences were indeed systematic. The findings of this meta-analysis showed that the planetarium has been an effective astronomical teaching tool
The Zooniverse projects turn everyday people into "citizen scientists" who work online with real data to assist scientists in conducting research on a variety of topics related to galaxies, exoplanets, lunar craters, and solar flares, among others. This paper describes our initial study to assess the conceptual knowledge and reasoning abilities of citizen scientists participating in two Zooniverse projects: Galaxy Zoo and Moon Zoo. In order to measure their knowledge and abilities, we developed two new assessment instruments, the Zooniverse Astronomical Concept Survey (ZACS) and the Lunar
DATE:
TEAM MEMBERS:
Edward PratherSebastien CormierColin WallaceChris LintottJordan RaddickArfon Smith
As the astronomy education community develops, a need has arisen for concrete research and evaluation methodologies, especially within informal educational settings. We propose one such methodology, action evaluation, which attempts to demystify the process of research/evaluation and recruit as partners those who are traditionally left out of this process. Based on the tradition of action research, this methodology incorporates research/evaluation into the fabric of programs and places the researcher/educator in a centralized role. We provide concrete examples of tools that we have used to
DATE:
TEAM MEMBERS:
Nicholas StroudMeghan GroomeRachel ConnollyKeith Sheppard
The purpose of this study was to describe and understand the range of outcomes of class visits to natural history museums. The theoretical framework is based on the multifaceted process of learning in free choice learning environments, and emphasizes the unique and individual learning experience in museum settings. The study’s significance is in highlighting several possible cognitive as well as non-cognitive learning effects in museums class visits, by providing the student’s point of view. Data was collected by semi-structured interviews with 50 students in grades 6–8 on the day following
This article describes an initial attempt to find out students’ perceptions of class visits to natural history museums, with regard to the museum’s role as a place for intellectual and social experience. The study followed up approximately 500 Grades 6–8 students who visited four museums of different sizes, locations and foci. Data sources included the Museum Constructivist Learning Environment Survey (M-CLES), which was adapted from Constructivist Learning Environment Survey, an open-ended question and semi-structured interviews with 50 students. The three instruments highlighted some
This book chapter describes the early evolution of Project FeederWatch, Classroom FeederWatch (which later evolved into the Lab of Ornithology's BirdSleuth), and early work to conduct citizen science online with the advent of the World Wide Web. It cites and presents data from several evaluation reports produced for the Lab's first citizen science award from the National Science Foundation, called "Public Participation in Ornithology." Contact Rick Bonney (reb5@cornell.edu) for a PDF of this chapter.
DATE:
TEAM MEMBERS:
Cornell Lab of OrnithologyRick Bonney
resourceevaluationProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
As part of the National Science Foundation-funded Access Algebra project, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) developed both a 6,000 square foot traveling exhibition (Design Zone) and a professional development program for host-museum facilitators who would work in the exhibition. The primary goal of the project was to engage visitors in algebraic thinking, with a special focus on reaching a target audience of 10- to 14-year-olds and their families. Facilitation in Design Zone was intended to support and extend visitors’ engagements with the exhibits and engage visitors in
Design Zone’s primary objective is to engage visitors in algebraic thinking, with a special focus on reaching a target audience of 10- to 14-year-olds and their families. The exhibition is organized into three thematic areas: art, music, and engineering. Exhibits in each area are based on real-world design challenges in which math and algebra are used. Garibay Group was contracted to conduct the summative evaluation of Design Zone. Using a mixed methods approach, data were collected at three museums hosting the Design Zone exhibition.