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For what it's worth, every few years, we survey the seniors at 5 area high
schools to assess the long-term impact of their pre-teen experiences at the
Sciencenter (many haven't visited for 5-6 years). For anyone interested, we
have a few data points comparing various outcomes with the number of visits.
Some of the visits are field trips and others family trips, so these data
don't really answer the question about field trips.
A paper on this from the ILR is at www.sciencenter.org/AboutUs/MuseumTools
(first item).
Charlie Trautmann
Executive Director
Sciencenter, Ithaca, NY
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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Hi Dave,
A couple of points, I absolutely agree that field trips are worthwhile and
beneficial experiences, and I'm glad the studies are in. That data is
essential. I certainly loved going on field trips as a kid. Managing them
as an adult is and was challenging but rewarding. I'm absolutely certain
that advanced preparation, active participation, involvement of adults
(teachers, museum staff, even the bus driver, etc) can dramatically affect
and shape the experience. Counter findings would be remarkable. We know
that.
The question of how much is enough, and is there a linear correspondence
between amount enrichment and benefit, was the experimental question posed
that intrigued me. Rat brain studies suggest that the biggest beneficial
effects on brains happen between an empty environment and a middlingly
enriched one. The neural differences between middling enrichment and super
enrichment are not as great however, essentially indistinguishable. The
study's assay mechanism was the amount of neural branching (dendritic
development) and synaptic fuzz, the vital parts of brain development.
Now I don't know this with absolute certainty, but I'll bet that similar
studies in other organisms show corresponding effects, and in humans at a
neural-cognitive-social, meta-cognitive level, we say things like "use it
or loose it," stay active and engaged, and this speaks to increasing the
fuzz on our neurons (no pun intended). Museums are a way of doing that; they
are accessible vehicles for exploration, inquiry, discovery and sharing.
Counter findings would be remarkable.
We also know it is very, very difficult to measure human subjects. We are
wretched model organisms. Even in relatively potentially controllable
situations such as classrooms it comes down to a lot of variables and
ultimately whether or not kids stick with it and flourish. We spend and
have spent lots of time, energy, resources and investment, and get no
absolutely clear cut, rock solid formula that everyone agrees on. We do
know it's broadly about the teachers, kids, resources and support but
specific relationships are vexingly difficult to determine. But we know it
when it works.
We also know what doesn't work most of the time, and that's regimented
standardized testing and teaching to the test.
A museum is an even less controllable environment. We should take a lesson
from education.
C
On Oct 28, 2011, at 6:27 AM, Dave Ucko wrote:
> 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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*
>
> Charlie--
>
> There have been many studies on the impact of field trips, generally
showing varying degrees of positive impact. You can find many references by
searching this topic on www.informalcommons.org.
> The NRC Learning Science in Informal Environments report summarizes the
findings (Box 5-1, pp. 132-135). Not surprisingly, impact is dependent on
the extent of advance preparation, active participation in museum
activities, involvement of teachers and chaperones, and reinforcement after
the trip.
>
> Dave Ucko
> Museums + more
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
>> Date: Wed, 26 Oct 2011 22:57:06 -0700
>> From: Charles Carlson <[log in to unmask]>
>> Subject: Re: Declining attendance from school groups [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
>>
>> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
>>
****************************************************************************
*
>> Thinking about the topic briefly:
>>
>> I think we're all running an experiment, whether or not we know it. Very
broadly, does a visit school field trip make a difference? It would be
interesting to know the answer. But that's a really big study, and I don't
know if the investment is commensurate with the potential return. While
doing a video conference is an option, it a whole additional unknown.
>>
>> Studies with rats suggest that some enrichment is better than none, but
once a threshold is reach more enrichment has significantly diminishing
value. There was a great radiolab show about Zoos today. I particularly
liked the zoo segment. http://www.radiolab.org/series/podcasts/
Apparently, it's not up yet.
>> C
>>
>> Charles Carlson
>> Senior Scientist
>> exploratorium
>> 3601 Lyon St.
>> San Francisco, CA 94123
>> [log in to unmask]
>> Tel: 415-561-0319
>> Fax: 415-561-0370
>>
>> Skype: sciskypecharlie
>> MobileMe: [log in to unmask]
>> Twitter: charliec53
>> http://blogs.exploratorium.edu/whyintercept/
>
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The opinions and thoughts expressed here are my own and should in no way be
construed or attributed to the Exploratorium or related organization, and do
not represent an institutional position.
Charles Carlson
Senior Scientist
exploratorium
3601 Lyon St.
San Francisco, CA 94123
[log in to unmask]
Tel: 415-561-0319
Fax: 415-561-0370
http://blogs.exploratorium.edu/whyintercept/
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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the
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