all of which sounds like good fun BUT be aware that some such bridges
can collapse and from experience I will tell you that you can do some
damage to shins and ankles. It has to be a case of supervised work or
you may have liability cases arising from injury.
**********************************************
               Peter Millward
Manager, Education & Visitor Services
           Melbourne Museum
     18th level 222 Exhibition St
                9651 8162
**********************************************

> ----------
> From:         Robert and Deborah Bain[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent:         Thursday, 29 January 1998 11:50 AM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Architectural Interactives
>
> I work for an organization that places artists and architects into
> schools for extended residencies.  In May 1998, we will be exhibiting
> students' work from our Architects-in-Schools program at the AIA
> Convention in San Francisco.  We would like to include some
> interactive
> components that will engage visitors in understanding the basic tenets
> of architecture and the built environment.  The theme of the
> convention
> is "bridges" so we would like to keep the interactives as closely
> related to that as possible.  Also, the exhibits will be up for about
> one month and we have about three months to prepare, so they need to
> be
> kept simple and inexpensive.
>
> One idea is to have building materials, a space to be spanned, and
> some
> weights.  With examples of different bridge structures, visitors will
> experiement making their own bridges across the given span and test
> their structures with the weights.
>
> Another idea is to have a matching game of designs found in nature and
> similar designs found in architecture.
>
> And of course, there are the wonderful examples of bridge interactives
> as seen at the Exploratorium in San Francisco.
>
> Also, we are working on ideas for "remote" interaction via the
> internet
> in order to keep the students in the classroom connected to what is
> happening at the exhibit site.  One idea was to have an e-mail
> connection so that visitors to the exhibits can send comments and
> feedback to the students.  However, this isn't really interaction as
> it
> is a one-way communication system.  Another thought is to set up some
> kind of list.serv or discussion group just for the month of the
> exhibit
> so that all exhibit sites and classrooms can be connected in an
> on-going
> conversation.  However, if a visitor to the exhibit enters the
> conversation and isn't their to receive a response, then this really
> isn't interactive either.  Maybe setting up a real-time chat room at
> designated times of the day would work.
>
> We also have a general web site for LEAP and might include a page
> specifically for this exhibit (with a map of all exhibit locations and
> a
> calendar of events) that we could turn into a cyber gallery of
> students
> work and comments by visitors when the exhibit is finished.
>
> Please respond if you have any suggestions regarding on-site or remote
> interaction.  Your thoughts are much appreciated.
>
> Thank you,
> Deborah Bain
> Programs Assistant
> Leap...imagination in learning
>