NABC
Need:
We divided our needs analysis into two parts: broad and specific.
Broad need: (overall objective) The need is to engage children ages 5-10 years old in the process of paleontological discovery and scientific thinking. There is a need to design a space that allows children to form questions, collect evidence, participate in discovery and engage in scientific thinking in the context of a mammoth skeleton's exhibit. The purpose is to design a learning experience that exposes the children to, and supports them in, the process and practices of scientific inquiry - questions formation, gathering and interpretation of evidence through the application of various skills and tools etc. With that knowledge, children can have the skills, confidence and motivation to expand and explore questions of their own interests and environment.
Specific need: (based on what we observed)
- Encourage more questions asking by children
- Space needs to be not only engaging for children but also inviting for parents. We noticed parents that stood back, behind their children. Some parents need to feel more comfortable collaborating
- Space to encourage multiple families interacting simultaneously (we noticed the round exhibits work much better on this aspect compared to those facing a wall)
- Need to take into account loudness of the place with many kids running around
- Need for durability
Approach:
Based on our observations and discussions, we have come out with a list of ideas:
- A room/subspace that allows multiple parent/child pairs' interactions
- A note-taking/recording device for each participant
- A game or game-like feature that involves multiple participants
- Some talking device that can project the voice of mammoth/scientist
- An archaeological dig where each kid can participate with a mini-toolkit
- A display or hands-on area with questions for kids to answer; kids form their own answers to the questions by utilising the following skills on the display/area or the objects placed there:
- Observing
- Measuring
- Classifying
- Counting
- Estimating
- A hands-on activity on evolution (toy animals for kids to arrange to form sequences of evolutionary order)
- Hands-on activities to give sense of how big and how heavy Lupe is by using:
- Comparison/scaling (use toy figures and animals)
- Can compare/juxtapose height, size, weight
Dan and Deb Be sure to check out Assoc. of Science and Tech Centers: http://www.astc.org/ for research about these ideas
Benefits:
Foremost benefit for the kids is the exposure to the process of scientific thinking. Basically, it is the shift from the idea of science as something to be memorized and consumed to science as a process of thinking and doing. Kids are initiated into thinking and talking in terms of the standards of explanation of the scientific community and in relation to its problems. The learning value goes beyond the facts and figures of the Mammoth exhibit as kids will learn and explore the inquiry practices of approaching a problem, forming questions and trying to answer them; i.e. thinking practices and skills that they can extend and expand to other areas and environments of their own interest.
Competition/alternatives:
Children's Discovery Museum (CDM) is different from other science-focused museums in that it is completely hands-on and experiential. Alternative museums that are also science and natural history related (like the Museum of Natural History in New York) can be much more formal and often do not give children the same opportunities to explore, take risks, find out new information, and create. The Children's Discovery Museum's unique philosophy helps it to achieve a comfortable and approachable feel. Children explore a range of different subjects and maneuver through the museum at their own pace; they can be noisy and energetic and they can even make a mess. This particular exhibit will relate to kids' personal experiences with scientific inquiry and emphasize the process over the product. The Museum strives to meet children at whatever level they are at when they arrive. From young children who may not have much scientific experience, to older children who are already excited about their school's science projects, this museum is for everyone.
I think that it's also important to point out the role purpose of the museum from a families perspective. Many parents may view the place as a theme-park alternative - as a place to spend a weekend afternoon for fun. The experiences need to acknowledge these expectations.