ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Dear Joely

Please find below references from the psci-comlit database (http://psci-com.ac.uk/pscicomlit/).  Hope they're useful

1) Dierking, L. D.; Scott, C.; Faulk, J.H.; Rennie, L; Cohen Jones, M. Interactives and visitor learning. Curator Vol.47, No.2, April 2004, pp.171-198 
This paper describes a collaborative study made between researchers at the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, The Institute for Learning Innovation, Annapolis, Maryland, Curtin University of Technology, Perth and Scitech Discovery Centre, Perth. The study looked at two aspects of interactivity: visitor perceptions of it in the contexts of a museum and a science centre, and the short and long term learning that results from it. 

2) Hadjachilleos, S.; Valanides, N.; Leou, M. Construction of knowledge in non-formal settings. Science Education International Vol.15, No.2 June 2004 pp.125-137  
The report discusses a study of two exhibits in the Discovery Room at the American Museum of Natural History. Using factors identified in related literature, the study examined the contribution to the achievement of learning objectives of such things as exhibition content, characteristics of visitors, children's enquiries about the exhibition and staff interactions with visitors. Conclusions showed that presentation is important to children's engagement with activities and that both children and parents prefer to be physically and mentally engaged in the exhibits. Overall, the study corroborates evidence that learning outcomes are better within a museum environment than in a decontextualized learning setting 

3) [Informal science learning.] Journal of Research in Science Teaching Vol.40, Iss.2, February 2003 
An issue focusing on informal science learning. Topics covered include: learning science in out-of-school settings; characteristics of interactive exhibits that are effective in attracting and holding the attention of visitors; collecting and analysing family conversational data at museums and other informal settings; investigating the impact of prior knowledge; investigating guided tours in museums and their effect on student learning; learning science at home; students' understanding of science from different television genres. 
Abstracts available at http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/jissue/102525244

4) McCrory, P. Blurring the boundaries between science centres and schools. Ecsite Newsletter Issue 52, Autumn 2002 pp11-12 
An article by Paul McCrory, a physics teacher and science communicator, who examines the ensuing battle that informal educators have with schools in justifying the educational value of their science centres. McCrory makes clear that science centres and schools work within different parameters to engage their respective audiences. However sciences centres are increasingly being asked to produce outcomes and McCrory reviews a model he developed, based on one by Hayes (1999), which measures the impact of science centre visit. McCrory concludes that both the informal and formal learning systems can support each other in order to redefine the boundaries between the two. The aim is to generate a powerful driving force to develop the curriculum in a way that creates lifelong learners who are interested and confident enough to engage with science after they leave school. 

5) Piscitelli, B.; Anderson, D.; Weier, K.; Everett, M.; Tayler, C. Children's museum experiences : identifying powerful mediators of learning. Curator Vol.45 No.3, July 2002 pp.213-231 
An article reports on a study of four- to seven- year old children and the nature of their learning through the museum experience. The study was conducted in four different museum environments: a natural and social history museum, an art gallery, a science centre, and a hybrid art/social history museum. The findings indicate that exhibits and programmes provide greater impact and meaning when they have a social and cultural context that is familiar to the children, such as play and story 

Regards
Louise

Louise Simon
Wellcome Library for the History and Understanding of Medicine
210 Euston Road
London NW1 2BE

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7611 7316
Fax: +44 (0)020 7611 8726
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Its sole Trustee is the Wellcome Trust Limited, a company
registered in England, no. 2711000, whose registered office
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-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Joely Christian
Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2005 11:54 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Seeking research on impact of science centers


ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
****************************************************************************
*

Hi there,

Can anyone let me know if there exists research on the educational impact of
Science Centers on students. In addition, information on the impact on
visitors not involved in school programs. What I seek is some long term
impact - even short term would help at this point.

If anyone can guide me I'd really appreciate your assistance.

Warmly,

Joely

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