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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David -

We have, indeed, found that we're bringing in a new audience. I don't
know that we're necessarily seeing a greater number of male IMAX
viewers/museum goers, but we are seeing a population who doesn't
typically visit the science center. In a way, it's a great opportunity
for us to show this nontraditional audience what we offer so that we can
hopefully generate repeat visits on the basis of the "whole package".

That said, I'd like to identify an interesting phenomenon with the
NASCAR film: we have seen our Combination/IMAX only ratio reverse with
this film. That is, many people are coming for just the IMAX Theater and
skipping exhibits. Here is where programming may become important - if
we were offering NASCAR "stuff to do" to extend the IMAX experience
across the whole facility, then maybe we'd see more combo sales.

Bill

Bill Watson
Education Director
Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center
Mobile, AL
(251) 208-6851

***********************************************************************
Visit the all-new permanent exhibit MINDS ON HALL, featuring
cutting-edge technology exhibits and the Ciba Hands-on
Science Lab.

Now playing in the Gulf Coast's only IMAX Dome
Theater: SHACKLETON'S ANTARCTIC ADVENTURE
and NASCAR.
***********************************************************************


-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David Taylor
Sent: Monday, April 05, 2004 9:57 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: NASCAR and more...

ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
************************************************************************
*****

Bill,
        Here's a hypothesis you might want to consider.
Most museum visits are initiated by the female head
of household.  I wonder if the NASCAR film and support
programming you might do, being of more "male" interest,
might not bring in new audiences, rather than change the
way your traditional audiences visit.
        I have found that families usually have a pretty good
idea of how much time they plan to spend when they
arrive at a museum, and that they then make choices as
to how to spend that time.  Is there a new exhibit they
want to see? A new film?  A planetarium show?  Do they
have time to fit in a demonstration?  Seldom do they do
all of these.
        I would be interested in how others think about this.

Dave Taylor
AHHA Museum Services
Seattle, WA
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
>
************************************************************************
*****
>
> We are currently showing NASCAR, and the special programming we've
done
> has been more "event" focused, and therefore run by our Marketing/PR
> arm. Try contacting Shannon Lipscomb ([log in to unmask]) for the
> specifics.
>
> That said, I have a broader question for the list, which is why I
> changed my title (didn't want to step on your toes, Jennifer).
>
> When you all (meaning science center reps who read this listserv)
> develop programming to go along with a film, such as NASCAR, what is
the
> impact of that programming? Does it:
>
> a) Generate longer stay time?
> b) Generate repeat visitors? (If so, how?)
> c) Bring people into the science center in the first place?
> d) Anything else?
>
> This is an important question for us because we are all spread so thin

> that we want to get the most bang for our time, if you will. On a
purely
> mission focus, I believe in programs to support films and special days
> (e.g. "Pi Day", Halloween, NASCAR, etc.) because it enriches the
> experience. However, with such resource limitations, it's increasingly
> important for us as educators to justify such programs in light of
other
> things we could be doing that could more directly affect the bottom
> line.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Bill
>
> Bill Watson
> Education Director
> Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center
> Mobile, AL
> (251) 208-6851
>
>
***********************************************************************
> Visit the all-new permanent exhibit MINDS ON HALL, featuring
> cutting-edge technology exhibits and the Ciba Hands-on
> Science Lab.
>
> Now playing in the Gulf Coast's only IMAX Dome
> Theater: SHACKLETON'S ANTARCTIC ADVENTURE
> and NASCAR.
>
***********************************************************************
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Informal Science Education Network

> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jennifer Tuxen
> Sent: Thursday, April 01, 2004 12:18 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Nascar
>
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
> Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
> institutions.
>
************************************************************************
> *****
>
> HI!
>
> Is anyone currently showing or plan to show the IMAX film Nascar?  We
> are
> considering it and are trying to tie in some programming for the
summer.
> Please share some ideas of what you are doing in connection to the
film
> or
> if you have any ideas of demos, workshops or programs about car
racing,
> drag, aerodynamics, air resistance, etc.
>
> Thanks so much,
> Jennifer Tuxen
> Director of Exhibits and Programs
> Sci-Port Discovery Center
>
>
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> More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the

> Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at
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> More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
> Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at
http://www.astc.org.
> To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
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To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
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