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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The "aha" experience is hard to quantify, but we've had a mutually
beneficial ongoing relationship with the local university psychology
department, whose students have conducted undergraduate research on the
effectiveness of our programming.  The Summer 2003 issue of VISITOR STUDIES
TODAY (from the Visitor Studies Association) features a report by Mark
Harvey, Ph.D., Brandon Hudson, and Bri Tureff of the University of North
Carolina.  They assessed the impact of two of our museum programs (Robotics
and Electricity) on elementary and middle school students using pre/post
testing, observation, and student interviews.  From their report: "Data
analysis revealed that exposure to the programs produced significant
differences between the pretest group and the posttest group both on general
interest in science and on specific scientific knowledge."  We were
especially pleased with the study's focus on "interest" in science, as well
as specific knowledge imparted during their museum visit.

Jim Taylor
Director of Programming
The Health Adventure
P.O. Box 180
Asheville, NC 28802
828-254-6373 x 313
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