The 21st century's information economy is creating more jobs that require not only a college education but also at least some expertise in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math, collectively known as STEM. Across the country, schools and communities are finding that the hours after school are particularly conducive to…

Amid controversy, a former Paris slaughterhouse is being converted into one of the world's largest science museums. The museum will be organized into four major sectors corresponding to different levels at which science and technology touch human lives: exploring, using/producing, living/inhabitating, and communications. The controversy related to…

The Computer Museum in Marlborough, Massachusetts houses old and not-so-old calculators, famous old computers and parts of computers, photographs and assorted memorabilia, computer-generated murals, and even a computer made of Tinkertoys that plays tick-tack-toe. The development of the museum and selected exhibits is described. (Author/JN)

Describes a teenage journalist's visit to the Newseum in Washington, DC, the world's only interactive museum dedicated to news. Describes visiting the Interactive Newsroom, the huge News Globe, the News History Gallery, and the Broadcast Studio. Describes also a brief visit to Freedom Park and the Newseum Education Center. Notes the enthusiasm of…

Discusses how museum resources can be used by teachers of college anthropology courses. In addition to loaning artifacts and exhibits and providing off-campus teaching resources, museums are ideal sites for internships and training programs. (KH)

Reports on the 1986 Annual Conference of the National Society for Education in Art and Design (NSEAD). Notes the current trend in art education toward critical studies, museum education, and engagement with real works of art. Describes several studies on current trends in art education in Great Britain. (RKM)

Describes generations and experiences of an exhibition presented in Spring 1998 at the Oldenburg Museum of Natural History and Pre-History. Discusses the thematic leitmotiv of this exhibition which was to present experiments from the history of physics as a cultural activity. Describes how reconstructions of historical experimental set-ups were…

Focuses on one person's perspective toward responsibilities of and toward the history of the museum profession. A plea is put forth for developing a feasible documentation system and national network of exhibit reviews. (Author/SA)

Studies how visitors use mechanical interactive exhibits: how they respond to interactive controls, problems encountered, and how museums can best solve those problems through redesign of controls and exhibits. Problems are described under the following headings: (1) Visitors' Understanding of Exhibits; (2) Design of Interface Controls; (3)…

Strategies are given for enhancing learning in the informal environment of the museum. Collaboration between the school and classroom is encouraged. (SA)

States that using diverse types of museums as sources of information for writing helps to stimulate imagination and personal expression. Describes many possible approaches, including poets in museums, curriculum collaborative programs, intensive student writing projects, high school programs, and after-school programs. Discusses problems that may…

Increased attention to the importance of the arts in general education demands that we carefully define what we mean by "art" when we argue that it should be included in the school curriculum. Education in the arts has traditionally meant education in the making of art, but while only a few students will go on to produce artistically in…

This article focuses on the issue of creating a national museum laboratory to provide opportunities to test what is called, "the field of action." Also included is a discussion of creating an interinstitutional computerized retrieval system to provide information about the location of specific research. (Author/SA)

Computer screen-based interactives can be very effective exhibits and are especially popular with children. Summarizes what museum researchers at London's Science Museum learned while testing computer-interactive exhibits. Topics include typical modes of behavior at computer exhibits, features that improve exhibit attractiveness, effective use of…

The 24,000 square foot Alaska State Museum is experiencing a space crisis which hinders its ability to effectively meet present demands. The museum's collection has more than tripled from 5,600 objects 17 years ago to 23,000 objects today. Available storage and exhibition space is filled and only 10% of the collection is on exhibit. The reason for…