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Date: | Tue, 16 Jan 2007 16:37:50 -0600 |
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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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Thanks Mike, You've just given me a chance to tell everyone about my second
favorite interactive exhibit. Louisville Zoo has a large outdoor exhibit
where they direct attention to several (like 60) hidden items around the
exhibit. Things like a snake in a tree (not real), a gorilla's print, scat,
a frog. Here's how they got people to see them.... it's so simple. They
created something that looks much like a standing magnifying glass and then
pointed it in the direction of the target. They aren't magnifying glasses,
but instead just a metal circle about 4 inches in diameter on a rod. They
sit just off the path and are angled in the direction of the target. A sign
near the "magnifying glass" tells the visitor a little about the target.
They work great. You would think that visitor height would be a problem-
but it seems to work for all heights. Here's why I like it. It's a very
simple, very low maintenance interactive element. Some of the circles on
the rod were free standing, some (like the photo that I have) were not.
Visitors might have been able to touch the circles from the path- but there
was no incentive to do it- so I can't imagine that there is much of a
maintenance issue. FYI- This exhibit won the 2003 American Zoo and Aquarium
Exhibit Award.... very prestigious in the zoo community. I was the lucky
won who got to conduct the evaluation. I think it's a great exhibit.
I saw another cool way to direct visitors attention at ...... I think the
Omaha Zoo. I also have a photo of this. In this case they mounted a metal
push button (not slide button) flashlight on a sign panel. The text says
"How could vampire bats save your life? Touch the flashlight to see" When
you press the button a light beam (I'm not sure it really came from the
flashlight), lights the answer up high on the the cave wall.
I have photos of both of these interactives and I'm happy to share them with
anyone interested. .
Monica
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Monica Post, Director
MPR Museum Consulting
Your Key to Exhibit Success!
www.MPRconsultants.com
and
Camp in a Can
The First All Inclusive Day Camp Curriculum
It's All in the Can!
www.CampinaCan.com
105 NE 64th Street
Des Moines, IA 50327
Phone: (515) 265-4837
Fax: (515) 265-2404
Cell: (515) 249-2222
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