Describes a program where teams of fifth graders and high school junior and senior physics students work together to explore physical science principles and create a student-constructed exploratorium. Incorporates and synthesizes scientific inquiry, hands-on activities, and creative and critical problem-solving approaches in a motivating and fun…

Reported are the results of a study at the Royal British Columbia Museum where an interactive computer program, "Explore the Seashore," was added to an exhibit to test its effects on visitor enjoyment and learning. Details of the presentation and structure of the hypercard media are presented. (CW)

Describes how well-known scientists in China are attempting to win the understanding and trust of the general public as well as gaining prestige and social influence while promoting the cause of science. Measures employed include: the establishment of science institutions; professional organizations; events; the media; and science promotion…

Describes visitor-oriented exhibits at the Natural History Museum that utilize precise principles of communication for educative purpose. These exhibits are designed on the basis of detailed knowledge of the audience, extending attention to the entire gallery as an experience rather than providing notice to individual exhibits, while taking…

Discusses the diversity of academic library users and the need for community awareness planning, and describes a program developed at Bowling Green State University libraries that evolved around a celebration of National Library Week. Topics discussed include free computer searches, displays and exhibits, publicity, read-a-thons, fundraising, and…

This article describes the development, over 13 years, of the Minnesota Young Inventors Program and Fair, focusing on its program components, including invention instruction and exhibit judging, the inventors fair, exhibit opportunities, plans for the future, and administration. The involvement of community businesses and corporations,…

Describes the historical development of the Schlesinger Library, which was founded at Radcliffe College (Massachusetts) to document the lives and achievements of women. Topics discussed include funding, users, programs for the public, oral history projects, exhibitions, the culinary collection and research on food and food history, and the impact…

Describes a museum exhibit that portrays the role of Chinese immigrants in the growth of the U.S. west during the latter part of the 1800s. Discusses the growth of Chinatowns and their cultural attributes and the agricultural and industrial significance of Chinese immigrant workers during that period. (CFR)

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

Examines how many teacher education programs are using authentic assessments of teaching (cases, exhibitions, portfolios, and action research) to support teacher learning for today's diverse schools. Using specific teacher education programs as examples, the article discusses how and why these strategies support teacher learning and more valid…

Exhibits in London's Science Museum are critiqued in this discussion of the problem of balance in presenting controversial issues in museum exhibits. Science museums claim to portray controversial issues in a neutral manner, but neutrality is impossible. Asks how science museums can involve visitors in the controversy and how the museum's role can…

Describes a project in which student teachers chose science exhibits and created webpages to communicate some aspect of the underlying science in the exhibit. Student teachers participating in the project developed personal understanding of some difficult areas in science. (DDR)

Includes extracts from texts at the Library of Congress exhibit that explores the role of religion and its relation to the nation during its formative years. Topics include persecution; Jews; Quakers; Roman Catholics; the Great Awakening and evangelicalism; the American Revolution; religion and government; African Americans; and Mormons.…

3D interactive virtual reality museum exhibits should be easy to use, entertaining, and informative. If the interface is intuitive, it will allow the user more time to learn the educational content of the exhibit. This research deals with interface issues concerning activating audio descriptions of images in such exhibits while the user is…

Computing is a complex, multidisciplinary field that requires a range of professional proficiencies. Computing students are expected to develop in-depth knowledge and skills, integrate and apply their knowledge flexibly to solve complex problems, and work successfully in teams. However, many students who graduate with degrees in computing fail to…