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

Hi Alissa,

I'll be the curmudgeon again and say something that will not be all that 
helpful to you in this specific situation, but which I think deserves 
being said from time to time.  Frank Oppenheimer wrote something along 
the lines of, 'In order to make good exhibits that visitors will be 
excited about, first the exhibit designer/builder must be excited about 
making them. They must learn something along the way as they make them 
and they should enjoy showing them to their friends.'  Gosh, wouldn't it 
be great if we could always work this way?

Now, you probably don't have time to hatch newly developed ideas and 
make them workable. But as you receive suggestions from this worthy 
group, follow your gut and do things that you yourself would find to be 
the most fun and interesting. It's the surest way to make them fun and 
interesting to your visitors, regardless of age.

Of course, Frank O had something to say about that as well.

Best wishes,

Joe R
www.TheExhibitGuys.com



Daniels, Alissa wrote:
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
>
> Like many of you, we at Boston Children's Museum will be focusing on space this summer while we host an exhibit on the topic. It's not something I know a whole lot about (and frankly, it's not my favorite subject), so I'm looking for a little help.
>
> I'm interested in floor kit activities about any aspect of space: planets, rockets, telescopes, you name it. Our summer audience has an average age of about 7, so the activities need to be relatively simple. We have the most success with drop in (or "drive by") programming, so stuff that is easy to explain is also key. You all know how it is. A couple ideas I have in mind already: soda bottle stomp rockets (always fun!) and a kid-size version of that great scene in "Apollo 13", where the engineers have to figure out how to get a square peg in a round hole, using random objects from around the house and our Recycle shop.
>
> Any suggestions most welcome.
>
> thanks all!
> AD
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Alissa Daniels, Science Program Manager/Senior Educator
> Boston Children's Museum
> 617 426 6500 .342
> "The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not "Eureka!" (I found it!) but "That's funny..."  " --Isaac Asimov
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
>   

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