Provides a firsthand account of visitor studies done in the early 1970s to evaluate museum exhibits effectiveness in response to erroneous information reported in the "Curator" (volume 36, number 4). (MDH)

Museums face a crisis of confidence arising from two issues: (1) the erosion of an historically unreliable funding base, and (2) a challenge for audience by entrepreneurial elements in the cultures. Suggests that museums remember their capability of teaching hard information, stop emulating the forces that threaten them, and learn lessons from the…

Presents research and public values of natural history museum collections. Research values include documenting biotas no longer available and serving as inspiration for scientific discovery. Public values include servings as resources for identification of unknown specimens, hands-on education, and depositories for evidence of the history and…

National Park Service (NPS) archeological and natural resource collections have grown over the last decade. Discusses measures the NPS has taken to identify the problems and estimate the cost for correction of problems associated with the cataloging and storage of the collections. (MDH)

"Contextual areas" employ models, replicas, artwork, art materials, tools, interpretive panels, and interactive computer installations to help visitors explore the historical and cultural context of 6 of 12 works of art at the "Art Inside Out" exhibition in the Kraft General Foods Education Center of the Art Institute of Chicago. (MDH)

Provides an historical perspective on the theory of constructivism and its application to science education in museum settings. Reviews the contributions of John Dewey and Jean Piaget to theories of learning associated with constructivist thought. (DDR)

Data on curatorial budgets and hiring practices of the University of Minnesota's Bell Museum of Natural History since 1970 are discussed relative to those of academic departments in the College of Biological Sciences. Concludes that a natural history museum is best viewed and administered as a university resource and responsibility rather than as…

Discusses the Association of Systematics Collections' efforts to provide programs and resources to help institutions meet the challenge of maintaining natural history collections. (MDH)

This article suggests that one way to involve the viewer of a museum exhibition in the balance between accessibility and scholarship is to approach the exhibition not so much as a lecture but as a conversation. References research done on the differences between male and female styles of communication. (LZ)

Examines a new realignment and new definition of the museum and its role in helping to create a more civil society. Discusses visitors' use of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, changes in object display requested by indigenous peoples, and the changing view of authenticity. (LZ)

Presents a research and exhibit development aimed at increasing the understanding of family learning in science museums and identifying the characteristics of successful family learning exhibits. Concludes that using the seven characteristics of successful family exhibits as a guide to exhibit development proved to be an effective strategy for…

Contains an annotated bibliography of literature that addresses understanding the family-learning process. The material relates to the definition of family, why families visit museums, how they behave in museums, how they learn in museums, and how this type of learning is measured. Contains 39 references. (DDR)

Describes and explains the rationale for establishing a program in higher education that would support and interact with the community of institutions and individuals involved in informal or nonformal science education. Outlines a number of research questions proposed at a recent meeting of informal science educators. (DDR)

Presents findings from a questionnaire administered at two science centers and two natural history museums. Tables reflect demographic characteristics, education level, group size, number of children per group, and respondents' preferences regarding live demonstrations, objects to handle, dioramas, and video programs. The purpose of this study was…