This question is submitted by
the New York Hall of Science, North Museum of Natural History &
Science and Miami Museum of Science, co-developers of Life
Changes, an NSF-funded project on the potential of museum
exhibitions to convey precursor knowledge of biology to children that
readies them to understand evolution. We are in the early stages of
development of a 1,500 square foot exhibition targeting children ages
5-12 years old.
The team has determined, based initial research that a narrative
story-line approach might prove most appealing and effective for our
target audience. We are considering the advantages of a live
storyteller as a central exhibition experience. Based on consultation
with a Hall of Science public programs/theater specialist, believe it
is feasible, understanding that there are operational issues and
problems associated with this approach that would need to be resolved
as development continues. Foremost among the difficulties is the need
to identify appropriate storytellers/actors for venues currently
without science theater staff. Our assumption is that the training and
costs for hiring storytellers/actors would be borne by the project,
not by the renting venues.
We are very interested
in hearing from you if an approach that hinges on a live presenter
either raises major red flags or is something you feel your
institution would embrace with enthusiasm. For this particular
inquiry, we would like to focus only on operational issues, not issues
raised by the subject of the exhibition, evolution.
Would please forward this to
the appropriate staff at your institution.
Cheers,
Martin
--
Martin Weiss, Ph.D
Vice President, Science
New York Hall of Science
47-01 111 th Street
Corona, New York 11368
718 699 0005 x 356