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Hi Charlie,
I don't have all the research on what the field is doing but I am sure it
would make a great wiki. What I do see a lot of is science center directors
who are trying to reinvent the model based less on themed exhibits and more
on being a community resource in the sense that they are trying to provide
real substantive value to their communities. For example the community
outreach programs Bryce is doing at PSC, the Center of Science that David
is working on at COSI, and the evening programs and hackathons that TIm and
Lath are doing at the Tech. I think there is great value in cool events
like maker's faires. We are working on these.

The research we have is in our article in this issue of Dimensions on
branding. Basically if you look at the recent census, the vast majority of
the population is outside the current target audience, and the group you
are not reaching, teens and adults above the age of 18, the majority of
them say there is nothing for them at science centers.

This means that the new models are less dependent on the one off visit for
their revenues and more dependent on building revenue through strong long
lasting relationships that would really support life long learning.
Nobodies really done this yet.


On Thu, Sep 26, 2013 at 10:24 AM, Charlie Stout <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
> institutions.
>
> *****************************************************************************
>
> Eli --
>
> For the sake of argument, please elaborate on the market research and
> possibly indicate what less forward thinking but successful directors are
> thinking. At the extreme of what you're describing, I see a big, well
> maintained paved area that can provide parking and popup buildings, maybe
> double wide rolling science galleries, big tents, etc. that go away at some
> point, leaving pavement. I don't see anybody returning to this kind of
> gathering place until the next big thing comes up. It would seem that this
> model makes these forward thinking directors more event coordinators and
> traveling theme park operators. A perfectly fine business, but not what I
> think of as a science center.
>
> I don't see travelers choosing this kind of place as a destination or the
> surrounding businesses supporting it since no residual income will come
> their way. Before I got into the field, I chose museum (art, natural
> science, sci-tech) destinations when I traveled -- "permanent"
>  institutions with credibility, knowledgeable staff with atmosphere and a
> sense of reliability.
>
> On the other hand, I would pose that the number of sci-tech centers may
> have reached saturation. For instance, on my next trip to Chicago, I will
> visit the Museum of Science and Industry, but I am far less likely to
> travel within a 100 mile radius to all the others that have popped up over
> the past 40 years. If that's the case, then it may be that outlying areas
> should invest in bringing exhibits and programming from existing
> institutions and finding ways to encourage travel to and support of these
> institutions.
>
> -- Disclaimer: The views and representations stated in this e-mail are the
> individual's. They do not bind the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum or its Board,
> staff or volunteers, and they do not necessarily reflect the Museum's
> institutionally-held viewpoints, opinions or policies. --
>
> Kind regards to all,
>
> Charlie
>
>
>
> Charlie Stout
> Director of Exhibits
> Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
> 734-995-5439 |(734) 693-1033 (cell) | www.aahom.org
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Informal Science Education Network [mailto:
> [log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Eli Kuslansky
> Sent: Wednesday, September 25, 2013 8:14 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: New science centre feasibility and sustainability
>
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
> institutions.
>
> *****************************************************************************
>
> Anyone building a new science center now should consider basing it on
> something other then the current cookbook. In our research for new science
> center models, what we find is forward looking directors who are focusing
> on is creating more of a community resource with programs for all ages and
> less on informal science to school groups. The financial sustainability is
> less dependent on gate sales for attraction/ themed exhibits and more on
> subscriptions, paid programming for teens and adults, and episodic
> experiences. This is probably one of the reasons there is so much interest
> in makers spaces. I think that once the things that are in the way of the
> current model flip it will be possible to pivot to the future model which I
> believe is more sustainable (programmatically and financially).
>
>
> On Wed, Sep 25, 2013 at 7:20 PM, Amy Johnston <
> [log in to unmask]> 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 all,
> > Here is a big philosophical question for you all.  At Science Alive in
> > Christchurch, New Zealand the earthquakes have given us a unique
> > opportunity to start again. We can build a new purpose built centre.
> > We want to make the most of this opportunity. One of our biggest
> > challenges is to make the new centre sustainable so it is around for
> > years to come. The world seems to be full of science centres that
> > started so well but then had to close down a few years later or make
> > significant numbers of staff redundant. We want to know what are the
> > characteristics of centres that have survived well?  Also the
> > converse. Are there any factors that seem to cause problems for science
> centres?
> >
> > We know what we believe to be the answers to these questions, but
> > would love to get your unbiased (and biased) opinions. The collected
> > knowledge will feed into our strategic planning.
> >
> > Thanks for your time.
> >
> > **********************************************************************
> > * 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.
> >
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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.
>
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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.
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Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.

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