Factors affecting the use and outcomes of interactive science exhibits in community settings
This article reports an investigation into the use of 12 Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Interactive Science Exhibits, borrowed by two community venues—a regional Hall of Fame and a metropolitan Library—as part of a science center's outreach program. Data were generated through interviews with venue staff...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
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Routledge Taylor & Francis Group
2010
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/3734 |
| _version_ | 1848744313265061888 |
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| author | Rennie, Leonie Evans, Rosemary Mayne, Fiona Rennie, Susan |
| author_facet | Rennie, Leonie Evans, Rosemary Mayne, Fiona Rennie, Susan |
| author_sort | Rennie, Leonie |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | This article reports an investigation into the use of 12 Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Interactive Science Exhibits, borrowed by two community venues—a regional Hall of Fame and a metropolitan Library—as part of a science center's outreach program. Data were generated through interviews with venue staff, interviews with adults and surveys of children who visited the exhibits, and observations of visitor behavior around the exhibits. All children and most adults enjoyed using the exhibits, and adults thought the exhibits would raise people's (particularly children's) awareness of science and teach scientific ideas. Venue staff were pleased with the outcomes of the exhibit loan; however, the potential educational effectiveness of the exhibits was limited by issues relating to location and the visitors’ agendas. There were problems in attracting people to the exhibits and encouraging visitors, particularly adults, to engage with them. Suggestions are made to increase the effectiveness of using interactive exhibits in community settings. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T05:59:29Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-3734 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T05:59:29Z |
| publishDate | 2010 |
| publisher | Routledge Taylor & Francis Group |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-37342017-09-13T14:45:47Z Factors affecting the use and outcomes of interactive science exhibits in community settings Rennie, Leonie Evans, Rosemary Mayne, Fiona Rennie, Susan This article reports an investigation into the use of 12 Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Interactive Science Exhibits, borrowed by two community venues—a regional Hall of Fame and a metropolitan Library—as part of a science center's outreach program. Data were generated through interviews with venue staff, interviews with adults and surveys of children who visited the exhibits, and observations of visitor behavior around the exhibits. All children and most adults enjoyed using the exhibits, and adults thought the exhibits would raise people's (particularly children's) awareness of science and teach scientific ideas. Venue staff were pleased with the outcomes of the exhibit loan; however, the potential educational effectiveness of the exhibits was limited by issues relating to location and the visitors’ agendas. There were problems in attracting people to the exhibits and encouraging visitors, particularly adults, to engage with them. Suggestions are made to increase the effectiveness of using interactive exhibits in community settings. 2010 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/3734 10.1080/10645578.2010.509699 Routledge Taylor & Francis Group restricted |
| spellingShingle | Rennie, Leonie Evans, Rosemary Mayne, Fiona Rennie, Susan Factors affecting the use and outcomes of interactive science exhibits in community settings |
| title | Factors affecting the use and outcomes of interactive science exhibits in community settings |
| title_full | Factors affecting the use and outcomes of interactive science exhibits in community settings |
| title_fullStr | Factors affecting the use and outcomes of interactive science exhibits in community settings |
| title_full_unstemmed | Factors affecting the use and outcomes of interactive science exhibits in community settings |
| title_short | Factors affecting the use and outcomes of interactive science exhibits in community settings |
| title_sort | factors affecting the use and outcomes of interactive science exhibits in community settings |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/3734 |