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Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Informal Science Education Network
<[log in to unmask]> writes:
>> - is your museum primarily organised by theme or by target age group?

Theme.  We have exhibits about Our Solar System, the Milky Way Galaxy, and
others.
>
>> - in your opinion, which would be better (educationally and

>operationally), and why?

Operationally - theme seems to work better.  If you have whole sections of
a museum that are dedicated to a specific age group, you may be making
members of your audience feel like they are excluded from certain areas of
your building (i.e. not all older kids will go into areas dedicated to
younger children).  They may also feel like they overpaid for admission if
there are places they "shouldn't" go.

Educationally - in my opinion, it is always better to have exhibits on a
theme at a variety of age levels as well as mixes of visual, auditory,
kinesthetic and targets for various learning styles.  You'll never get a
completely homegeneous visitor group - the 3 year old will come with the 9
year old who will be with a parent or grandparent.  Reach for as many
visitors in your target visitor population as you can...just make sure
you've outlined your target visitor population...you can't be everything
for everyone, no matter how hard you try.  That just dilutes your
educational messages.

Michelle

Michelle Nichols
Education Department
Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum
1300 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, IL  60605
312-322-0520
312-322-2257 (fax)
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http://www.adlerplanetarium.org

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