Describes the Nuffield project that served as a resource for science centers across England and as a vehicle for the European Collaborative for Science, Industry, and Technology Exhibitions. Discusses the network of contacts extending from the BBC and British Association to science centers worldwide following the inception of the project by the…

This paper describes techniques used to investigate cognitive gain by children interacting in a fossil display area of the Liverpool (England) Museum. Interviews and videotaped observations demonstrate learning by the 51 subjects (average age 8.7 years). Children spent more time with activities when an adult demonstrator was present. (SLD)

Year Eight students that underwent novelty-reducing pre-orientation to the physical environment of an interactive science museum and had prior experience visiting the museum learned more than their counterparts. Those exhibits most frequently recalled shared a combination of characteristics such as large physical size, prominence in the exhibit…

The New England Aquarium Education Department offers a series of curriculum units and field trip guides for teachers of all grade levels on aquatic biology and ecology topics. Fish characteristics and behaviors are explained in this packet for secondary science teachers. Pre-trip materials include factsheets and worksheets on fish: (1)…

This report, containing seven articles, summarizes a series of evaluation studies. The first article, "The Shell Science and Mathematics Resource Centre in 1987," provides an overview of the Centre's mode and reflections about the achievements of the Centre during the three years of its operation. The second article, "The Curriculum…

Discusses the role of education in a museum setting. Reviews the direction of thinking in museum education and the history of the museum movement in the United States. Highlights the preparation of viewers, the professional status of museum educators, and marketing museum programs as some problems in museum education. (CW)

Described is the Talcott Mountain Science Center for Student Involvement, Inc., near Hartford, Connecticut, and the programs in natural science offered at the facility and by center personnel in local schools. (SL)

Examines problems of science and technology (S/T) education in Mexico, indicating that a proposed project will create a pilot, experimental center designed to systematically improve the teaching of S/T at all educational levels. Discusses project objectives, financial aspects, and role of environmental education. (JN)

Describes public facilities in the United Kingdom (observatories, planetariums, museums, and research institutes) available for use in astronomy education. (SK)

Describes the ambitious activities of a space science club and its advisor in building a community science center. (SA)

Offers tips for parents to help maximize the educational benefits of a trip to a science and technology center. (WRM)

This book provides ideas for table exhibits for grades 3-6 in nine different subject areas. These areas are: marine life; nature in the backyard; the history and uses of flags; impressionist painters and art; winter festivals around the world; fibers and fabrics; Native Americans in touch with the land; sugar and chocolate; and keeping the earth,…

The major focus of this document is to report the current status of the Iowa-ASSIST program, a statewide education improvement model aimed at helping students, teachers, administrators, and citizens to improve science teaching and science offerings in their communities and schools. Described are procedures for establishing 15 regional service…

Describes a program in which teenage students serve as the explainers of the displays in a museum. Reports on a study designed to determine whether such programs can significantly affect students' social development, their attitudes toward science, and their interest in science, teaching, and museums. (TW)

Provides a descriptive listing of museums and science exhibits that are essentially participatory and playful in nature for young children. Offerings in the areas of natural history, museums, science and technology centers and specifically children's museums are outlined. Educational benefits are discussed. (ML)