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 study examines the historical conditions that fostered significant reform in science education. To understand these conditions, we employ a framework drawn from the new institutionalism in organization theory to study the founding and early development of the Exploratorium—a prominent science center that greatly impacted the field of science education. We examine how the Exploratorium employed institutional resources that were available in its environment to develop a new type of organization: an interactive science center. Our findings reveal that the Exploratorium was shaped by the
The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History (NMAH) contracted Randi Korn & Associates, Inc. (RK&A) to conduct a process evaluation for Smithsonian Affiliates’ involvement in Places of Invention (POI), an exhibition funded by the National Science Foundation. Affiliates are working with community partners to create digital content for the Interactive Map featured in the exhibition, and using POI core concepts to create local programming in conjunction with the exhibition. The study sought to understand the successes and
To investigate how parents support children's learning at an exhibit on evolution, the conversations of 12 families were recorded, transcribed, and coded (6,263 utterances). Children (mean age 9.6 years) and parents visited Explore Evolution, which conveyed current research about the evolution of seven organisms. Families were engaged with the exhibit, staying an average of 44 minutes. Parents' and children's explanatory, nonexplanatory, and evolutionary conversation was coded. Overall, substantive explanatory conversation occurred in 65% of parent utterances, whereas nonexplanatory
This summative evaluation was commissioned by the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) to explore visitors’ perceptions of the exhibition, “Climate Change: ” – which was installed from October 2008 through August 2009. This report provides systematic information about visitors’ perceptions of the intended messages and about the different types of exhibitry used to create the educational and experiential value of the exhibition. The information can be used to reflect on the exhibit development and design process, to consider whether to rent the traveling exhibition, and to inform future
This newsletter issue focuses on natural history dioramas. Articles describe children's responses to dioramas, biological interest development in natural history dioramas, and inquiry at natural history dioramas.
Signs in both English and Spanish alert museum visitors when evaluation activities are taking place. Signs indicate whether filming, photography, or videotaping with audio are taking place.
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Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
This umbrella protocol developed by the Exploratorium outlines their policy of determining whether they can share video recordings of minors based on whether or not they have obtained parental consent. Distinctions are drawn between recordings filmed in public and non-public (ie. focus group) spaces.
This document outlines OMSI's general approach to consent, differentiating between adults and minors and between adults who have been explicitly “invited” to participate and those who are in non-invitational settings, then describes details of consent for each method and audience.
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Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History (NMAH) contracted Randi Korn & Associates, Inc. (RK&A) to conduct a formative evaluation for Places of Invention, an exhibition funded by the National Science Foundation. The exhibition aims to stimulate visitors’ thought about how people, resources, and spaces work together to support invention in historic and modern communities. Through formative evaluation, RK&A explores visitors’ use of exhibition prototypes (including barriers to use) and the meanings visitors take away
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Randi Korn & Associates, Inc.Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and InnovationNational Museum of American HistorySmithsonian Institution
This dissertation research is a comparative retrospective analysis of major change processes at history museums during the last two decades of the 20th century, based on long interviews with 77 informants. It presents emergent patterns across seven organizations in the study, rather than focusing intensively on one or a few case studies. The analytical framework provided a systematic way to ascertain whether 12 themes that emerged from a review of multiple literatures were salient and, in particular, whether these museum change experiences elucidate or build upon change experiences described