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)

Discusses what museums offer science teachers, including a visual extension of textbooks, educational experiences to hone observational skills, and special supplementary services including field museum courses, materials loan, museum libraries, and research departments. Specific instructional goals teachers should prepare before museum trips are…

Describes objectives of a museum information system: to capture photographic, lineal, and textual documents in high resolution digital images; to convert digital images of text to standard computer code; and to retrieve appropriate code automatically through keyword searching of full text. System assembly and planned and potential applications are…

"Learning in Places" is a concerted effort undertaken by an outstanding group of international researchers to create a resource book that can introduce academic, professional and lay readers to the field of informal learning/education and its potential to transform present educational thinking. The book presents a wealth of ideas from a wide…

This document consists of four issues of a newsletter for educators at the middle level. The issues each contain a main article, along with shorter articles and regular columns. The Fall 1999 issue focuses on the middle school movement and presents part 1 of an interview with John Lounsbury on the progress of the movement. A sidebar article…

The SAGRES system is an educational environment built on the World Wide Web that facilitates the presentation of the information bases of a museum in a way that is adapted to the individual characteristics of each visitor. The interaction with the system may occur individually or in groups of students. The system also offers resources to support…

Shared virtual worlds are innovative applications where several users, represented by Avatars, simultaneously access via Internet a 3D space. Users cooperate through interaction with the environment and with each other, manipulating objects and chatting as they go. Apart from in the well documented online action games industry, now often played…

Colorado's residents are reminded of the land's past residents, the Northern San Juan Ancestral Puebloans. Their artifacts are encountered throughout the state. What can people learn from the Ancestral Puebloans about how to live on this landscape? The "Escalante Pueblo Curriculum" is designed to enhance a teacher's options for…

This postsecondary-level textbook prepares the student for a career in interpretation, defined as the translation of historic, cultural, or natural phenomena to increase audience understanding and enjoyment. The mission of interpretation consists of developing an informed and experienced citizenry in our natural and cultural heritage. The term…

Describes how to build a classroom museum developed by students to provide an ongoing learning experience. Offers tips on generating ideas through class discussion, assigning facilitating roles associated with museums, developing exhibits, including interpretation, and sharing the museum with others. Students who have created their own museum…

Examines a cross-section of craft knowledge and research-based literature of science learning beyond the classroom. Describes informal science education programs, and discusses implications for science teaching, focusing on the importance of informal science learning for children and in-service and preservice teachers. Proposes a model for…

Probes the implications of German reunification for Berlin as a cultural and intellectual center, highlighting how reintegration might affect universities, libraries, museums, and academies. Stresses the nature of the challenge Berlin faces in overcoming some of the darkness in its past and realizing the full possession of its intellectual…

One in a collection of papers on self-made millionaire and educational philanthropist George Peabody offers a listing of his gifts and legacies, which fall into the categories of libraries, lyceums, athenaeum, art, music; science; model housing; education; exploration; patriotic causes; historical societies; hospitals; churches; legacies; and…

Presents an overview of the approach and current exhibits at the Boston Children's Museum. Describes the Japan Program, a permanent exhibit, illustrating the blending of traditional and modern Japan. Outlines the development of the Native American exhibit and future plans for a floating urban education center. (CFR)