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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Nicely put Jeff. My two cents:
The evaluation of exhibits is valuable in that it can provide directional feedback but it does not and it should not be expected to provide THEE answers. I don't think evaluation should be taken as a sole or holistic process that guides development as it is only one short alternate (but parallel) route on the grand journey towards a creative unexpected educational experience.
In my opinion, what stifles the creative process in this field is the reliance on what others are doing or have done and the focus on looking to "best practices" as guides in the development process. This thinking does not provide an incentive or inspiration to be creative but only leads to more of the same. So stop reading.
Hever Velázquez
Research and Evaluation
OMSI
-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jeff Rosenblatt
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 4:18 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Exhibit evaluation in Dimensions magazine
ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************
Emily,
Here is my opinion. Thanks for putting this question up for further input.
Evaluating Creativity.....
From a day to day perspective, I seek out informal exhibit evaluation from my staff, other exhibit fabricators, students, and most of all from the general public. To overly institutionalize exhibit evaluation into a formal process would surely stifle the creative process. It is this creative process and the end result of new, innovative exhibit designs that truly make science centers such a unique public draw. To be creative in this process one must take risks, and often the success one achieves is not defined by a standardized set of tests, rules, or somebody else's evaluation.
To see the power of this creativity simply look to what the Maker Movement has become over the past 6 years, and look to what the amazing City Museum in St. Louis has achieved. Neither of these endeavors were defined by standard exhibit evaluation models, yet both of them have achieved a vaulted social status which lies somewhere very near to the science center profession we call home.
Jeff Rosenblatt
Director, Science City & Gottlieb Planetarium
Union Station Kansas City, Inc.
30 W. Pershing Rd. Suite 400
Kansas City, MO 64108
Office: 816-460-2218
[log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Emily Schuster
Sent: Monday, October 24, 2011 11:35 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Exhibit evaluation in Dimensions magazine
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 everyone,
You may remember a particularly vibrant thread about the value of exhibit evaluation that appeared on this listserv back in January. This discussion continued at the ASTC Annual Conference last week (see ASTC's blog at http://www.astc.org/blog/2011/10/17/a-lively-debate-on-the-value-of-evaluation/), and we would like to explore the question in the "Viewpoints" department of ASTC's magazine, Dimensions, as well.
If you are interested in contributing, please email a short answer (preferably 50-100 words) to the question, "Do you think exhibit evaluation is a useless bureaucratic hurdle or a valuable tool?" to [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> (subject line: Viewpoints) by October 28. Include your name, title, and institution. Responses may be printed in future issues of Dimensions or on ASTC's website (www.astc.org<http://www.astc.org>). We reserve the right to edit responses for publication.
Thanks so much,
Emily
--
Emily Schuster
Editor
Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC)
1025 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 500
Washington, D.C. 20005 USA
Phone: (202) 783-7200 x130
Fax: (202) 783-7207
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
www.astc.org<http://www.astc.org/>
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! For interesting and provocative news from the field, ASTC updates, #tuesdaytrends, and more, follow ASTC at http://twitter.com/ScienceCenters.
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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
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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
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