Robert and Deborah Bain wrote:
>
> 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


Hi Deborah.

Have you considered doing some VRML online?  Although VRML is yet a bit
clunky and difficult to maneuver, it still might be worthwhile given the
nature of the subject.  If you would like some help in modelling a
bridge or two I might be able to spare a few hours.

I'm also interested in online interactivity and would like to hear from
anyone who is using cgi script for posting from school groups.  I'm
working on a 'site that will follow the efforts and adventures of Tom
Whittaker, who is attempting to be the first amputee to reach the summit
of Everest.  We will have daily reports from Tom via video and email.
http://www.everestonline.com/   We would like to be able to have school
groups post text and images on the 'site in reponse to ongoing events
and challenges to create artwork, science, geography, physical education
and cultural studies projects.  We'd like the script to automatically
post the text and images with possibly an email response to the posting.
If possible we would like it to remove stale postings after a given
time.

Best of luck, let me know if I can help out.

Paul Toth
Museum/Arts Education Consultant
and
Vancouver Film School, Multimedia Studies Student