This paper reports a formative evaluation of an interactive exhibit in the Museum of Science, Boston, that encouraged visitors to create a model using everyday materials. The materials provided for visitors to create their models changed during the period of the evaluation, and visitors were observed and interviewed as they engaged with the various prototypes. Evaluation results show that the type of modeling material presented influenced the visitors' model making process and individual learning and behaviors as well as the interactions visitors had with each other.
This paper discusses findings from a study that examined an interactive microcomputer exhibit at the Texas Memorial Museum. The study aimed to answer the following two questions: (1) Can the microcomputer be used effectively in a museum setting to teach first, second, and third graders about endangered species in Texas? and (2) Can the microcomputer be used effectively in a museum setting to create or enhance positive beliefs about endangered species in Texas?
This paper discusses the methodology and findings of a study that tested the impact on visitors of using life-sized animal cutouts as a background for interpretive labels. The effectiveness of these labels were examined at the "African Plains Overlook" at the North Carolina Zoo
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Stephen BitgoodArlene BenefieldDonald PattersonHoward Litwak
Roto, an exhibition design and production firm, contracted Randi Korn & Associates, Inc. (RK&A) to conduct a front-end evaluation of Speed, an exhibition being developed for The Science Museum of Virginia (SMV) in Richmond, Virginia. RK&A explored visitors’ thoughts, perceptions, and understandings of exhibition concepts related to speed, defined as change over time. How did we approach this study? RK&A worked closely with Roto to identify the goals and objectives for the Speed exhibition. Findings from the front-end evaluation were designed to help Roto and SMV find common ground between
This paper presents the methodology and findings of the formative and summative evaluation of the "Kongo Ranger Station" interactive interpretive displayed located in the new "Africa Rain Forest" exhibit at the Metro Washington Park Zoo. This display focuses on conservation, natural history and cultural issues in West and Central Africa.
In this paper, evaluator Randi Korn of Randi Korn and Associates describes front-end and formative evaluation procedures used to help create and perfect interactive components for a junior gallery in the Allentown Art Museum in Pennsylvania. Key findings from both studies are briefly summarized.
This paper discusses a recent effort by staff at the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village to systematically re-research and reassess every key structure in the Village. During this project, staff discovered that the current interpretation of the Mattox House was seriously incorrect. It was decided that a new exhibit would be developed to replace this inaccurate representation. This paper briefly outlines the seven different types of research that were conducted during this redevelopment process, describing for each the purpose, and the ways in which each influenced the development of the
In this paper, the Franklin Institute's Ann Mintz discusses the managerial challenges associated with evaluation projects. Mintz explains how evaluators teeter on a continuum serving as both as artists and educators throughout the evaluation process. She cites evidence from an ongoing project at the Franklin Institute called the The Franklin Institute Computer Network that serves seven categories of museum visitors.
In this paper, researchers from Science Learning, Inc. discuss findings from an evaluation study that used interpretive carts to analyze visitor conversations. Researchers collected data using the "Rock Talk" cart to inform the redesign of the Geology, Gems & Minerals Hall at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.
The focus of this summative evaluation report is the Shark Encounter exhibit at Sea World of California, which opened in June 1992. The design concept was to display the largest collection of sharks in the world. Visitors are transported to the "tropics" to view sharks from above, and then venture into the sharks' environment as they travel through an acrylic tube placed on the bottom of the habitat. The goal of the evaluation was to determine the overall effectiveness, or success, of the exhibit
In this paper, Pedro J. E. Casaleiro of the University of Leicester (UK), Department of Museum Studies, discusses methodology and findings from a comparative analysis of audiences for "The Return of the Living Dinosaurs" exhibition in four separate locations: London, Paris, Spain, and Portugal. The exhibit consisted of robotic dinosaurs (animatronic models).
In this brief article, Ruth Freeman summarizes a report of ongoing evaluation efforts of the effectiveness of the Discovery Gallery at the Royal Ontario Museum.