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

Charlie,

Science centers are in all kinds of buildings, and people get to know
pretty soon - mostly by word-of-mouth - what is inside the building, so it
is more important to have a building that is noticeable and attractive and
accessible, than that it should say, "Science Center Here!" - and of
course, the contents should be wonderful.

I think that, more importantly, the design and "feeling" of science centers
- and other visitor places - should respond to the local cultures, so that
they feel comfortable in them.  When we built the new Tech, the building
was designed by the Mexican architect Legoretta - brightly colored and
attractive, I believe, to the large Mexican-American population of San
Jose.  Inside, we did a rather hard-edged design without the kind of
colorful and  warm feeling that I believe that American Hispanic and
Italian-based populations find attractive.  I believe that generally, these
cultures like a lot of color and stuff.  (I know that Domus is published in
Italy, but it represents the top-end design community, not the general
populace.)  Anyway, the Mexican-American population was severly
under-represented in the Tech's attendance, in terms of their approximately
40% of the population there at that time.

Some years ago, when conducting research in Chicago on what attracted
repeat visitors, we noticed that visitors seemed to be attracted to
object-rich exhibits and environments, such as a large and detailed
miniature landscape with model trains, a replica coal mine or a lavishly
furnished "fairy castle."  We heard such comments as, "I love all the
little details …."  Exhibits that were more stark and simple seemed to lack
some of this appeal.  This was not the main thrust of the research, but it
led us to suspect that if most of the general public had to choose between,
on one hand, a high Victorian 19th century object-rich interior, and on the
other hand, a Swedish minimal environment, they would choose the Victorian
one.  On reflection:  we evolved in the midst of nature, which is usually
very complex and full of shape and objects.  

I think that we use far too few artifacts in sience centers;  we should be
illustrating principles with real-life things more.  Most science museums
and centers seek to combine art with science.  Some include social impacts
and history in their treatments.  This enriches the exhibition greatly, and
makes it meaningful to wider audiences that just science-interested people.
 Why not put a grandfather clock beside the interactive pendulum exhibits? 
It shows many things, including:
· A use of a pendulum
· Domestic design of another period - a lovely lateral extension
· Use of mechanism in clocks, rather than electronics

Or, a telescope and other optical devices, beside the interactive optics
exhibits.  Or, electric motors, relays etc beside the interactive
electricity and magnetism exhibits?  The latter could also be push-button
operable.

Apologies for the long posting.

Regards,  Peter Anderson

***********************************************************************
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]