"Parkopolis," the life-sized board game, was designed to promote conversation and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning. We investigated whether this exhibit also prompted questioning. Caregivers' and children's STEM-related question-asking was compared between Parkopolis (i.e., experimental group) and a…

When the pandemic temporarily closed U.S. museums in March 2020, it also halted on-site museum tours. Some museums responded by developing or expanding their virtual programs, including online tours. The author, an in-gallery docent at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, trained during the pandemic to give virtual tours. Comparing in-person with…

Significant research has focused on caregiver-child interaction in children's museums, but little is known about what caregivers might be observing or perceiving about their children's learning. This study was conducted by the Children's Museums Research Network, and examines what caregivers observe about their children's learning during a visit…

The compensation pendulum is a pendulum that is constructed in a way that its length does not vary by changes of temperature. As the temperature of the air around the clock goes up, the rod of a regular pendulum clock mechanism expands and the clock runs slower. Historically, it has proven easier to compensate for changes in the ambient…

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a machine learning (ML) integrated science curriculum implemented within the Science Research Mentorship Program (SRMP) for high school youth at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) over 2 years. The 4-week curriculum focused on ML knowledge gain, skill development, and self-efficacy, particularly…

This article explores how the examination of museum objects is fostering productive conversations in the field of civilian police accountability. As part of their new hire onboarding process, civilian oversight staff visit the Art Institute of Chicago to participate in a civic wellness program where topics of bias, community, social justice, and…

This study compares museum-related knowledge, museum learning experiences and cognitive load based on task types presented via a mobile application during a museum virtual tour. The study involved three experiments, each examining the effects of different task types. In the first experiment, tasks varied by difficulty (easy vs. difficult), in the…

The recent increase in the number of mathematics museums has given rise to a need for tools with which to design and assess mathematics educational proposals in this non-formal context. This study proposes the use of the van Hiele model, a benchmark in mathematics instruction, for the design of interactive museum models focusing on mathematics…

The competencies and techniques used by employees, especially those who act as guides, are one of the most important vehicles for the transference of visitors' cultural understanding and memorable experiences. The aim of the study was to identify which guides' competencies can enhance generic learning outcomes of museum visitors. The data were…

This article examines forms of activism in which artistic expression features as a means of raising awareness and catalyzing progressive change on matters of equality, diversity, inclusion and social justice. Focusing in particular on anti-racist and decolonial activism within the context of art museums, experimental project spaces and collections…

Children's books play an important role in providing windows and mirrors to young people on a variety of academic content, social issues, and personal experiences. Numerous books introduce young people to the art museum. The text and illustrations of these books send messages about who belongs in museums as a visitor and what kinds of art are…

Value co-creation unfolds as a system of interactions in which the user and service provider play an active role in collaboratively creating values that go beyond economical and financial worth. Value co-creation is a growing trend in museums; however, little is known about how it can enhance educational activities, especially concerning digital…

Although adults are known to play an important role in young children's development, little work has focused on the enactive features of scaffolding in informal learning settings, and the embodied dynamics of intergenerational interaction. To address this gap, this paper undertakes a microinteractional analysis to examine intergenerational…

In this paper, we present SCAMP -- Social Configuration Affordances for Museum Play -- an analytical framework we develop and use to highlight the relationship between designed affordances at interactive museum exhibits and different social playful behaviors they trigger and support. We do this through a selective case study analysis of Rainbow…

Urban middle school students in the United States have shown a declining interest in science and poorer science learning outcomes compared to the past. Museum learning experiences can potentially improve these students' interest and learning in science through interactive, personalized exhibits. This qualitative action research study asked the…