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Eric,
        I did an exhibit a number of years ago called
the Environmental Monitoring Center where we did
exhibits on water, air, land use issues, weather, and
humans as part of the environment...we had lots of
real time data and exhibits about major environmental
issues... I felt mixed success in how effective it was
with the public...
        It's hard to do real-time-hands-on exhibit stations
about the environment... so much of what you are
trying to approach is larger scale, longer term trends
that don't happen in the scale and time a visitor can
see... this means that visitors have to make a level
of abstraction from the real world and concrete experience
(which are always the best exhibits in my view.)  It is
really important to answer the visitor's question, "Why
should I pay attention to this exhibit... what does it mean
in my life?"  CO2 and the ozone, along with acid rain and
other environmental factors are obviously important, but
how does it relate to my life and my life decisions?  Am I
willing to give up my SUV in order to reduce the emissions?
Am I willing to fix the oil leak from my car, so it won't get
into the streams and waterways?
        So, be careful not to do a 'heady' exhibit telling people
'about the environment'... figure out how to make it relevant
to them and their lives.

David

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
David Taylor
AHHA Museum Services
  "Now I Understand"
     (206) 363-8126
1560 NW Woodbine Way
    Seattle, WA 98177
   e-mail:   [log in to unmask]
http://www.AHHA-MuseumServices.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

> From: Eric Yuan <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2004 16:58:00 -0400
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Visiting good exhibits on the Environment
> *******
>
> Hello,
>
> Can anyone recommend good exhibits/programs on the Environment?
>
> We are developing a new exhibit and are particulary interested in:
> ---Experiences that focus on a local environmental issues (especially
> watersheds)
> ---Experiences that incorporate real data collection and modeling, such as
> environmental indicators like CO2
>
> Thank you for your help!
>
> Eric Yuan
> Exhibit Developer
> The Tech Museum of Innovation

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