>Bill Stirrat
>At the Science Museum of Minnesota we're prototyping a combined
>classroom/exhibit space in one of our exhibit halls.... I'd love to hear
>from >anyone who has had any experience with multi-use spaces like this.

At the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago there are Learning Labs:
Multi-purpose spaces that are used by school groups in the mornings and
then visitors in the afternoons and on weekends.  There were a lot of
issues to consider in developing and designing these spaces--so I won't
bore the list with all the details.  Some the solutions included rotating
text, two-version software, a wall-to-wall white board, and glass doors
with very obvious signage.  We did a couple conference presentations
regarding the development and design of such multi-purpose spaces, and you
may still be able to get the tape from:

Hellenga, R., Ellenbogen, K., & Thompson, T. (1994, April). Exhibit Design
vs. Board of Education: Creating Exhibits that Respond to the Needs of
Schools. Panel conducted at the American Association of Museums (AAM) 89th
Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA.

I'd love to chat about all the details with you off list!

-Kirsten
(formerly of the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago)

____________________________________________________________________________
Kirsten Ellenbogen
                                                Graduate Research Assistant
Office Phone: (615) 343-0531                    Science Education Journal
E-mail: [log in to unmask]          Box 506, Peabody College
                                                Vanderbilt University
                                                Nashville, TN 37203
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