“Infestation: The Evolution Begins”: Final Report

October 13th, 2021 | EVALUATION

NSF generously funded the Science Museum of Minnesota's exploration of whether or not the "theatrical gaming" technique could improve visitors' understanding of complex topics requiring conceptual shifts--topics like evolution. COVID disrupted our formal evaluation plans, but this report offers finding and guidance/best practices for other informal education institutions interested in developing this type of experience. Individual sections discuss our particular, three-phased project, theatrical gaming as a technique, storytelling, gaming, technology, and evaluation.

Document

Infestation-Report_RR_101321.pdf

Team Members

Liza Pryor, Principal Investigator, Science Museum of Minnesota
Zdanna King, Evaluator, Science Museum of Minnesota
Stephanie Long, Author, Science Museum of Minnesota
Trygve Nordberg, Author, Science Museum of Minnesota

Funders

Funding Source: NSF
Funding Program: Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL)
Award Number: 1713316

Related URLs

Developing innovative techniques for using museum-based theater and gaming to support visitor understanding of complex systems

Tags

Audience: Evaluators | General Public | Learning Researchers | Museum | ISE Professionals
Discipline: Art | music | theater | Education and learning science | Life science
Resource Type: Evaluation Reports | Research and Evaluation Instruments | Summative | Survey
Environment Type: Museum and Science Center Programs | Public Programs | Theater Programs