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Hey aren't there child-labor laws about this? You trying to put us hard working exhibit designers outa work? I mean come on....
But seriously. I would have them follow as realistic a professional design process as possible or practical. Of course there are many variations on how that happens but they generally include a number of common phases: Research/Evaluation; Concept, Schematic/Development; Control/Final.
Research and evaluation would include being given parameters such as educational goals, experiential goals, target audience, physical constraints, etc.
Concept can be about brainstorming, sketching, free association and you either develop a handful of alternatives or one final idea.
Schematic or development would be about fleshing it out. Figuring out how big or small it really would be and how it would be built. It might include developing graphics or a written walkthrough.
Final design is pretty much just what it says. Scaled drawings and final specifications.
BIG QUESTION: Is the intention to actually build these? If not then you may just want to take them through concept.
I would give them the educational and experiential goals as well as a very general set of physical parameters (sized for kids, must fit in a defined space, can't be made of solid gold, etc.)
I would get them to do a written "walk through" of the exhibit. Getting them to think about the step by step experience is a great way to "proof" the design. It also provides a task that the less artistic kids can tackle while others are drawing or building models.
Erich Rose
Erich Rose Design
807 The Living End
Austin, TX 78746
512-626-9930; [log in to unmask]
On Feb 1, 2011, at 11:34 AM, Jeff Rosenblatt wrote:
> 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 planning an interactive exhibit design contest for schools grades k-8 and 9-12. Has anybody ever tried this before? If so, what kind of parameters/requirements did you provide to the schools, things like exhibit dimensions, weight, interactivity, summary of science concepts, safety, etc... And what types of categories (or rubric) do you all think would be best to evaluate and judge the exhibit designs.
>
> Currently, we would plan to fabricate the top 2 winning designs. These exhibits would be part of a larger 'Engineering Themed' exhibit space. Any advice would greatly help guide our efforts.
>
> --Jeff Rosenblatt--
>
> Director, Science City at Union Station
>
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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.
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