The Alabama Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, the world's largest rocket and space museum, includes displays illustrating American rocket history, exhibits and demonstrations on rocketry principles and experiences, and simulations of space travel. A new project includes an integrated recreational-educational complex, described in the three…

Describes the facilities and programs of two major hands-on learning centers for children: the Capitol Children's Museum in Washington, D.C. and Sesame Place in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Computer-oriented activities are emphasized. A table describing several other hands-on learning centers accompanies the text. (JL)

Designed to effectively display Northwest Coast Indian artifacts, the University of British Columbia Museum of Anthropology evokes the form and spirit of the old Indian villages. Available from: Architectural Record, 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020, $5.00 single copy. (Author/MLF)

This study proposed to determine if time-based learning-associated visitor behaviors at interactive science museums differ across weekend/weekday groups and family/nonfamily groups. Results separate weekday visitors into two distinct groups: family visitors spent more time per exhibit than did nonfamily visitors. Conversely, weekend family and…

Investigates the effect of seven different scientific inquiry activities on visitors' understanding of the science underlying an interactive exhibit. Findings indicate that the interpretation activity was the most effective in facilitating visitors' understanding and the prediction activity was the least effective. Other findings are discussed and…

Describes how the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, faced with cuts in state funds, is eliminating the jobs of eight tenured museum-research professors. (EV)

A British project helps drug addicts and exoffenders regain a sense of meaning and purpose through exposure to the arts. After visiting galleries, participants create personal museums expressing their individual vision. (SK)

Discussion of museums that take advantage of the Internet's format options for electronic presentation. Provides a list of 248 museums and galleries around the world that are making use of World Wide Web or Gopher servers, lists 4 recent pertinent articles, and lists 8 online directories. (Author/LRW)

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)

The traditional roles of historic collections of instruments, machinery, and their curators and the recent changes in the priorities of national science museums are described. The importance of communication and interpretation in museology is discussed. (KR)

Shares experiences as a teacher in the School-Museum Informal Learning Experiences in Science Project (SMILES). Highlights factors that contribute to excursions that successfully support students' learning of science. (ASK)

Looks at past trends and future challenges to assist with the identification of the role of education in the natural history museum of the new millennium. As the educational role of natural history museums evolves, so do the ways in which public education of such concepts as the very nature of science is carried out in these institutions.…

Indicates that museums and visitor centers must prepare to accommodate younger visitors and their parents by providing a range of developmentally appropriate learning experiences. (CCM)

Australia does not have a conventional prime ministerial library to honour its longest serving prime minister, Sir Robert Menzies. This paper outlines the alternative memorials established by the Menzies Foundation including the creation of the Menzies Virtual Museum website. (Contains 8 notes.)

"Who We Are" is among the exhibitions that premiered in September 2004 during the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of American Indian in the U.S. capital. It is a multimedia-formatted film being shown in the distinctive circular Lelawi Theater located on the fourth floor in the museum. "Lelawi" is a Lenape (Delaware)…