Roger:  Thanks for your response last August to my query for panelists
for the AAM proposal.  AAM did not accept the proposal, but I believe
it's a GREAT proposal, and will make a fantastic session.  We want to
propose it to ASTC for next year in Tampa, Fla.  Would you be interested
in being a part of this panel/session?  Although it doesn't fit
precisely into the annual themes, nonetheless, "audience development" is
always of interest.  Below is a synopsis of the purpose of the session.

"Museums are critical public access point for new ideas and
technologies, and drawing in new audiences is always a concern.  Public
interaction with robots provides hand-on excitement and learning
opportunities for visitors of all ages.  From a personalized robotic
tour of a contemporary art museum, to a robotic instructor at a science
center, robotic staff members and exhibits draw in new visitors and
point museums to the future.  In addition, control of museum based
robots via the Internet by distant audiences takes museum exhibits
across the globe."


This topic is important because:
1.      It provides an example of an innovative technology that expands
and
reinforces connections among audiences and broader communities.
2.      It shows how a willingness to investigate the use of leading
edge
technologies is critically important to the future of museums.
3.      It reinforces an understanding of the public fascination with
robots.
4.      It explores opportunities to expand museum reach using
interactive
robots over the internet.

Attendees will learn or be able to:
1.      Learn about a variety of robotic applications in museums.
2.      Learn about the pros and cons of setting up and operating a
robotics
exhibit.
3.      How to use a robot to draw audiences into any museum.
4.      Possible collaboration models to design and fund museum robotics
exhibits.

I did get in touch with the folks involved with the Minerva project.
They joined the panel, and I hope they will be able to join the proposal
to ASTC.  Do you know of any other people or institutions that might
illustrat the ideas in the above proposal synopsis?   The ASTC proposal
deadline is December 11. Please let
me know ASAP if you know anyone!  Many thanks.  V
===========================


Roger Wulff wrote:
>
> To the person who requested information on Robots in the Museum:
>
> I am sorry but I deleted your posting to the list and can not reply to
> you off-list.
>
> I noted on last night's local TV news here in Washington, D.C., that The
> National Museum of American History of the Smithsonian Institution was
> now working on a project (called Minerva) in which a robot interacted
> with visitors to the museum and even served as a tour guide for some
> visitors.
>
> The Minerva Project has been posted to the news station's Web Page -
> WRCTV Channel 4 NBC in Washington, D.C.
>
> Kind Regards
>
> Roger Wulff
> Museum Services International
>
> /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
> Visit our New Web Site and our New BARNES & NOBLE MUSEUM BOOKSTORE at:
>
>         http://www.washingtonpost.com/yp/museumshopint
>
> Museum Services International is a non-profit organization which
> provides planning and implementation services in all areas of cultural
> and museum operations - especially in the area of "Economuseology."
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> /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

--

Vera L.Y. Uyehara               [log in to unmask]
Executive Director
Dakota Science Center
P.O. Box 5023
Grand Forks, ND  58206
(701) 795-8500
(701) 739-3150