In this article, Sonal Bhatt, Assistant Director of Interpretation at the Wildlife Conservation Society (headquartered at the Bronx Zoo), describes the Zoo's Eco-restroom project, a multi-part experience that embodies their mission of conservation. Bhatt highlights the key features of Eco-restroom area, evaluation results, and lessons learned.
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Sonal BhattNational Association for Museum Exhibition
In this article, Maria Mortati, Founder of the San Francisco Mobile Museum, discusses her experience launching a "pop-up" museum project in 2009. Mortati describes the process of selecting and designing mobile exhibitions, and shares best practices.
In this article, Eugene Dillenburg, Assistant Professor of Museum Studies and Scholar at Michigan State University, seeks a universal definition for a museum, noting that the term nowadays describes institutions representing a broad range of sizes and disciplines. Dillenburg provides examples from museum literature and deconstructs these definitions to conclude that exhibits are the defining feature of the museum. He goes on to define exhibits and remarks that exhibits are museums' "one irreplaceable feature."
In this article, Linda Pearcey, museology consultant, explores a recent shift in the Syrian economy, which has led to a reform in the education system with a greater emphasis on cultivating self-motivated, educated youth. As an example of these efforts, Pearcey highlights Massar, a national learning and development project for Syrian youth. Pearcey discusses the overall project as well as the specific physical components of the Massar Discovery Center.
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Linda PearceyNational Association of Museum Exhibition
This article describes how science centers and museums can better engage ethnic-specific communities that, overall, historically do not visit these institutions. Cecilia Garibay, principal of the Garibay Group, summarizes her research in this area, specifically focusing on Latino families in the United States and shares several key values that influence Latino parents' leisure choices. Examples of how leading institutions have used these findings are included and highlight ways museums can use research to better engage diverse communities.
In this article, evaluator Randi Korn details the importance of a museum's mission as "key to an institution's success." Korn recommends museums clarify their intent, before evaluating their impact , and provides three mission-based filters that museums must use to examine all operational activities: clarity of intent, alignment of practice and resources, and reflective inquiry.
This article describes the research effort of ASTC and Reach Advisors to explore the motivations and engagement levels of visitors to science museums. The team discovered surprising and telling information about mothers who visit with their children. This article explores the survey methodology, key findings including helpful terms to describe four types of visitors, and conclusions with recommendations.
In this article, science center and museum professionals, artists, and educators from around the world share their projects, programs, exhibitions, and initiatives that combine science and art.
Learning Science in Informal Environments draws together disparate literatures, synthesizes the state of knowledge, and articulates a common framework for the next generation of research on learning science in informal environments across a life span. Contributors include recognized experts in a range of disciplines--research and evaluation, exhibit designers, program developers, and educators. They also have experience in a range of settings--museums, after-school programs, science and technology centers, media enterprises, aquariums, zoos, state parks, and botanical gardens. Learning Science
The Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) (Public Law 103-62) requires Federal agencies to develop strategic plans setting forth missions, long-term goals, and means to achieving those goals, and ensure the effectiveness of agency programs through the integration of planning, budgeting, and performance measurement. “Empowering the Nation Through Discovery and Innovation: NSF Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years (FY) 2011-2016” updates and replaces “Investing in America’s Future: NSF Strategic Plan FY 2006-2011.” To develop this new plan, NSF formed a working group consisting of office and
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National Science FoundationNational Science Foundation
This report presents findings from an extensive summative evaluation of the Breaking Ground project (BG) conducted for both the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG) and the Brooklyn Children's Museum (BCM). Breaking Ground is a collaborative project established between BBG and BCM. The products of the overall project include three exhibits (two at BBG and one at BCM) and a series of educational programs. Specifically, the project components are: the Amazing Plants exhibition and the Discovery Garden at BBG, the Plants & People exhibition at BCM, and Discovery Carts, along with the City Plant
Evidence from the data collected on the Midwest Wild Weather Project indicates that the teachers are very excited about its potential for increasing their students' science literacy and understanding of the scientific process, as well as increasing their knowledge of the weather and exciting them about science in general. Students are very focused, enthusiastic and excited when interacting with the exhibits and universally pleased with their exploration and explainer experiences. MWW is also effectively reaching the intended underserved and underrepresented students across the nine sites are
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Gregory AloiaSciTech Hands On Museum