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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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