This paper describes the application of a "biosocial" approach to informal health and science education. As an engagement between biological and critical social sciences, biosocial theory has sought to re-articulate human bodies as fundamentally the product of interrelationships between the biological and social dimensions of human life.…

In 2011, the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, Illinois embarked on the creation of a program that allows middle and high school students to explore community health issues using human patient simulation. MedLab was created to engage students in an authentic exploration of medical science, biology, and human anatomy, with a particular…

Informal science is a burgeoning field that operates across a broad range of venues and envisages learning outcomes for individuals, schools, families, and society. The evidence base that describes informal science, its promise, and effects is informed by a range of disciplines and perspectives, including field-based research, visitor studies, and…

This 45-paper anthology presents an overall picture of 1973-1983 writings in Roundtable Reports, the quarterly journal of Museum Education Roundtable. Thirty-five of the articles appeared in previous Roundtable Reports, while some are new articles that reflect on original articles to provide context and historical perspective. Papers are grouped…

An experience-based exhibit emphasizes the visitor's active involvement: visitors become involved in inquiry cycles in which visitors' continued interaction with the exhibit builds upon the feedback they have received from the results of their inquiries. Presents 10 broad guidelines to consider when designing engaging experience-based exhibits.…

Designed for media specialists and educators, this issue includes five articles exploring the contributions of children's films to museum programs. Following a brief editorial encouraging the use of films in museums, the first article outlines a picture storybook model for evaluating children's films. Several storybook models are identified, and a…

In outlining a national strategy for environmental education in India, this document describes some current and future efforts of the Center for Environmental Education at Ahmedabad. It provides an historical account of India's environmental problems and its recent efforts at addressing those problems in light of rapid developmental efforts and…

Planning issues in the establishment of museums on college campuses, increasingly popular for the informal education they offer, are examined. Issues include evaluation of existing campus collections, purpose and use of the museum collection, program options, relationships with departmental faculty, market analysis, location, governance and…

The offerings in this publication reflect a new movement toward conceptualizing the student activities program as a valid source of learning that transpires informally within the total school situation. The experiences reported herein provide evidence that the learnings to be acquired through student activities should no longer be considered…