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

Another way to test it is to see how it fits in asking for 
directions: "How do I get to xxxx?"  It's amazing what that question 
reveals.
Beryl

>ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
>*****************************************************************************
>
>We sometimes test exhibition titles with visitors, interviewing them and
>showing them printed cards with the titles we're considering. We have tested
>3-6 titles at a time. Questions have included:
>
>We'd like your opinion about some names for a new exhibit.
>These are some that we're thinking about [hand them the cards].
>
>Suppose you saw a newspaper ad for an exhibit with one of these names.
>Which one would you be most likely to make a special trip to see?
>
>Okay; what does __________ bring to mind?
>
>What would you expect to see in an exhibit called ___________?
>
>And which one would you be least likely to make a special trip to see?
>
>Okay; what does __________ bring to mind?
>
>What would you expect to see in an exhibit called ___________?
>
>Do you have any other comments?
>
>We find that these questions give a relative idea of appeal, and uncover
>associations that might not have occurred to the staff. Staff guesses about
>how people will react are fairly easy to let go of when we see the responses
>in visitors' own words. Usually it's clear which titles NOT to use, and
>which aspects of the proposed titles do and don't accurately reflect the
>exhibit content. Testing the visual images for ads and banners can give
>similar insights. 
>
>I would recommend using such a process with enough lead time to revise
>titles, well before committing to a title for promotion or soliciting
>sponsorships.
>
>Lisa Hubbell
>Program Evaluator
>California Academy of Sciences
>875 Howard Street
>San Francisco, CA 94103
>[log in to unmask]
>
>
>>  From: Joanna Fisher <[log in to unmask]>
>>  Organization: The Children's Museum of Utah
>>  Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
>>  Date: Tue, 24 May 2005 22:25:57 -0600
>>  To: [log in to unmask]
>>  Subject: The process of Naming things
>>
>>  ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>>  Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related 
>>institutions.
>> 
>>*****************************************************************************
>>
>>  Naming things (exhibits, programs, galleries, etc.) is not easy and has
>>  the potential to drive individuals and departments apart. Everyone has a
>>  great idea, wants it their way and thinks that everyone else's idea for
>>  a name is silly, especially if it's the final name chosen.
>>
>>  I would love to hear from anyone who has a good process or plan to name
>>  a project. I would like to be able to include everyone who needs a
>>  voice, but put the final decisions in the "right" place. Any ideas?
>>
>>  Joanna Fisher
>>  Director of Planning and Program Development
>>  The Children's Museum of Utah
>>  840 N 300 West
>>  Salt Lake City, UT 84103
>>  801-456-KIDS (5437) x113
>>  801-456-5440 fax
>
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>More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
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-- 
Beryl Rosenthal, Ph.D.
Director of Exhibitions and Public Programs
MIT Museum
265 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA  02139
Tel: 617-452-2111
Fax: 617-253-8994
[log in to unmask]
"A great place to explore ideas, invention, and innovation: 
http://web.mit.edu/museum"

***********************************************************************
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
message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
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