Good advice from Jan Spoerri if your Museum can spare the $$ to hire outside con
sultants(Mine cannot and never has even though we have produced internationally
recognized hands-on activities.  Look for cheap, quality help in the following p
laces
1.  Local education community, especially teacher training universities.  They a
re full of interactive education specialists as well as eager under and over gra
duates willing to work internships.
 
2. Local companies in search of a tax break.  A TV station can be a good source
for electronic and computer components and advice.
 
3. Local trade school.  My institution benefits greatly by having the President
of a local electronics, HVAC repair school on its board.
 
My last piece of advice may prove unpopular on an electronic bulliten board.  Bu
t it is a good idea to avoid computer and electronic devices that are handled di
rectly by the public.  Thye can find more ways to break them than we can to fix
them.  And besides, a well trained docent is still cheaper than a union electric
ian.
 
Matthew A White
Director of Education
Baltimore museum of Industry
[log in to unmask]
(410)727-4808
FAX(410)727-4869