We have "touching tables" in each of our galleries that includes objects and raw materials relevant to each exhibit area (Woodlands, Plains, Navajo, Pueblo, Northwest Coast). These are permanently on display, but are also used as part of our school tours. We also have a corn-grinding area, a hands-on half-sized wigwam with birchbark containers, snowshoes, tobaggan, etc., Native American games table and two tipi models that can be put together. They all get a lot of use from all of our visitors (I used to say that they were for children and then consistently got the response from our older visitors "and ADULTS too!"). My goal is to upgrade our interpretative materials for each of these so that visitors can get as much "good" information from the tables with a guide or without one. janice Janice Klein Director, Mitchell Museum of the American Indian [log in to unmask] www.mitchellmuseum.org -----Original Message----- From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Anya Montiel Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2006 8:38 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Teaching Carts I am interested in hearing from institutions that use teaching carts. At my institution, the term "teaching cart" describes a mobile cart used on the exhibit floor containing teaching collections arranged by theme for the visitor to look, touch, smell, and to inquire. There is a museum employee (cultural interpreter) with the cart to help engage people with the items. I was wondering how institutions feel about the carts? Do you feel that they are "successful?" Have you developed something else? What are some problems you have encountered? What are your teaching carts about? At the National Museum of the American Indian, we are happy with our teaching carts but looking for ways to improve. Thank you, Anya Montiel Anya Montiel Lead Cultural Interpreter National Museum of the American Indian Fourth Street & Independence Ave., S.W. Washington, DC 20560 (202) 633-6645 [log in to unmask] ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.8.0/353 - Release Date: 5/31/2006 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.8.0/353 - Release Date: 5/31/2006 ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).