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Hi Cindy and Jonah (and other readers),
Very interesting. Though we used to a number (15+) years ago, we don't currently have an outreach program. Our main goal re students (and other visitor groups) has been driving site-based attendance. Changing this model is possible, but significant including issues such as the cost and process of setting up this new format as well as reality of having less attendance to the physical building. 
These issues are not impossible, but will require a shift change that would have to start to get our head around sooner rather than later. 
Still hoping to hear from others on their experiences....
Catherine


Informal Science Education Network <[log in to unmask]> on October 26, 2011 at 7:27 PM -0400 wrote:
>ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
>*****************************************************************************
>
>Hi Catherine,
>
>We have had similar findings to Jonah, regarding excursion
>administrative preparations deterring local school groups from visiting,
>as well as costs (bus travel, entry fees and relief teacher costs where
>relevant). 
>Many years ago, we paid a local bus company for a set number of bus
>trips, which a limited number of schools could use to come to our
>Centre, but many of the offers went un-used, because it was too much
>paperwork hassle for schools to come in. In surveying teachers many
>years ago, they also expressed the perception that local kids visit with
>their families on weekends/holidays anyway, so local museums (mostly
>national institutions) weren't high on those particular teachers'
>excursion destination list. 
>
>On the other hand, we have been trialling free entry to local school
>groups for one month each year when major maintenance/exhibition change
>over occurs, and we've found that has worked fairly well in building
>numbers during our quietest period of the year without interfering too
>much with the exhibition work. Most importantly, our local face-to-face
>in-school Outreach programs are greatly appreciated by teachers, and
>they book out very quickly. Digital Outreach programs (through Skype)
>are also an option if you can't afford to have travelling staff.
>
>Cindy Chambers
>
>Questacon Exhibition Services
>Canberra, Australia
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Informal Science Education Network
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jonah Cohen
>Sent: Thursday, 27 October 2011 3:58 AM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Declining attendance from school groups
>
>ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
>Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
>institutions.
>************************************************************************
>*****
>
>Pardon my provincialism, but...
>
>One way to cope with many of the issues that lead  to declining school
>numbers: spend more resources pushing your outreach program.
>
>Between bus costs, time spent booking the busses, time spent getting the
>field trip permission slips, time spent traveling on the busses, plus
>the cost per student of outreach vs in-house programs at the museum....
>outreach starts looking pretty good.
>
>Not that I'm biased or anything.
>
>Jonah Cohen
>Outreach & Public Programs Manager
>The Children's Museum
>Chair, National Education Outreach Network
>
>"Burning garbage makes smoke, which floats up to the sky where it
>becomes stars."
>"That doesn't sound right, but I don't know enough about stars to
>dispute it."
>
>-----Original Message-----
>Hi all,
>
>Last spring we did some focus group research with teachers (a
>combination of loyal and lapsed customers) to try to understand factors
>that may be contributing to declining attendance from this important
>stakeholder group.  Unfortunately, our findings showed that there were a
>number of things that contributed to teachers not getting out of the
>classroom as much (ie. no silver bullet - darn!), some of which are
>quite outside of our control (cost of buses). 
>
>I know a general decline in attendance is being seen at other
>institutions, and maybe to science centres/museums as a whole.  I'm
>interested in hearing from others regarding attendance trends from this
>particular market.  Has anyone else done research to try to identify
>specific issues/reasons for the decline/potential opportunities? Has
>anyone introduced new programming or models of engagement that are
>seeing positive results re student numbers? 
>
>Thanks in advance for your responses. 
>Catherine
>
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>Catherine Paisley
>Vice-President, Science Education
>Ontario Science Centre
>416-696-3295
>[log in to unmask]
>www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
>
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