ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************
Hi Amanda -
I like your ideas. I have experience building educational games - both
web-based games and kiosk games that users play with an interactive mat. A
lot of what you mentioned in your e-mail can be done. I, too, am fascinated
by databases and collecting information dynamically and organically. A game
is a great way to do this.
A commercial game - like what you bought at Target - is the product of a
team of developers and is not something that could be realistically produced
for one client. But - a simplified version of what you have discussed is
definitely doable.
Feel free to check out my work. I'd be happy continue this discussion.
Thanks -
Julia Griffey
[log in to unmask]
Animocation
Interactive, Animated, Movement-Driven Experiences
www.animocation.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Amanda Chesworth" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, June 15, 2007 1:05 PM
Subject: build your own museum?
ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
*****************************************************************************
I picked up a $10 computer game at Target last night. You get to build your
own zoo, with over 175 exhibits, lots of animals, etc. It's in the same line
as "railroad tycoon," "build your own prison," "create an amusement park".
It's not as good as Sid Myer's "civilization" series but still, it's very
fun!
Naturally it got me to thinking about a similar game for science museums.
Not just as a game but possibly an interactive exhibit that people can play
at the museums themselves. It could be such an amazing tool to teach about
what science is .. how you would choose a subject that qualifies as science
and therefore warrants space within your museum, how much data you would
need to collect as evidence to display within the exhibit. The zoo game
isn't as educational but I could easily see how you could turn it into an
excellent learning experience.
It would have so many side effects, too. For instance, if you concentrated
on the exhibits already in your museum, it would be an excellent way to
gather feedback from the public. What could you do better? What types of
objects and information the public would like to see. And this could be
organized by age group and other particulars that would also help with
surveys and statistics.
And then.. you could add art and design concepts, marketing-related
considerations, budget, funding, grant issues, and so much more. When
presenting the information, the user could rise from docent level all the
way to curator level and in this way, they'd need to learn and understand
the material presented within the exhibit.
I would love to have the time and resources to create something like this. I
might play around with the software I have here (I pick up just about every
piece of creative software that can work on a personal PC.) It won't
surprise me if I learn this has already been done but if not, I thought I'd
throw the idea out there.
It could even work a bit like SETI at home where your museum creates a
version, includes it on the exhibit floor but also allows people to download
it from the museum web site (or sells it within the gift shop.) It somehow
maintains a connection to the main museum computers so you are able to see
what people do with it.. you might attract more members or emails for a
mailing list (for instance, it could be a freebie for members only), you
could entice people with contests and prizes, or update it regularly with
new monthly exhibits or "museum problems to solve" .. it could be another
way to connect with schools, home schoolers, youth centers, even colleges
and universities that offer some sort of program in museum development.
My biggest problem has always been how to turn these ideas into reality.
Maybe someone out there sees some potential.
Best,
Amanda
* * *
Amanda Chesworth
Educational Director, Children's Programming
Committee for Skeptical Inquiry
http://www.csicop.org
http://www.inquiringminds.org
http://www.campinquiry.org
***********************************************************************
For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the
Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at
www.exhibitfiles.org.
The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To
learn more, visit
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.
To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]
***********************************************************************
For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.
The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.
To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]
|
