NEW DIRECTIONS: Research, Service and Training in Visitor Studies last updated: 2010-09-07 08:38:29

Project Details

Lead Organization:	University of Washington Museology Program
Partners/Collaborators:	Woodland Park Zoo, LIFE Research Center

Funding Organization(s):	IMLS
	Award Amount: $0

IMLS  Award Amount: $0 IMLS  Award Amount: $0 IMLS  Award Amount: $0 NSF #0917566  Award Dates: 1 Sep 2009 - 31 Aug 2012  Award Amount: $1060432 NSF #0813434  Award Dates: 1 Sep 2008 - 31 Aug 2012  Award Amount: $1834947

Project Overview

The University of Washington’s Museology Program, in partnership with the Woodland Park Zoo and the Learning in Informal and Formal Environments Research Center is developing a model of university-community collaboration where students work with client museums, zoos and aquaria to evaluate exhibits and programs under the guidance of a research mentor. Students will gain experience in audience research and evaluation, as well as in project management, collaboration, and leadership. Staff at participating museums will advance their personal knowledge about visitors and the field of museum evaluation.

The project will prepare a new generation of evaluators and museum practitioners through an innovative apprentice-styled laboratory that integrates the strengths of mentoring, fieldwork, academics, and client-centered experiences.

Project Advisors include John Falk, Julie Johnson, Randi Korn, Marjorie Schwarzer, and Patterson Williams. Project started January, 2009 with 24 graduate students in the first cadre.

Project Documentation

Evaluation Report(s):

What’s Going On in this Tour? An Evaluation of VTS-Based School Tours Visitor Impressions of the Exhibition, Dinosaurs. Real Close. Visitor Interaction with the Backyard Habitat Exhibit Harbor Seal Habitat Renovation A Front-end Evaluation for the Seattle Aquarium Visitor Engagement of Research Highlight and Evolution Wall Exhibits At This Stage: Live Science Shows at Pacific Science Center Nature Exchange Worksheet Use at the Woodland Park Zoo: An Exploratory Study Visitor Impressions of the Woodland Park Zoo App: Who's using it and who isn't? Visitor Impressions of the Woodland Park Zoo's Tiger Exhibit & Conservation Visitor Expectations and Satisfaction at Burke Museum Family Day Events Holding Power of Seattle Aquarium Exhibits for the Toddler Audience Use and Effectiveness of Discovery Carts A Summative Evaluation of exhibit, 'East by Northwest' Visitor Demographics & Motivation for Visiting the Henry Art Gallery Harbor Seal Talks at the Seattle Aquarium: An Exploratory Evaluation The Northern Trail: Summative Evaluation Summative Evaluation Of The Gallery Guide Program At The Frye Art Museum A Summative Evaluation of exhibit, 'Crusin' the Fossil Freeway' Visitor Interactions with Conservation Signage in Woodland Park Zoo's Elephant Barn Visitor Photo Behavior at EMP|SFM Gallery Guide Use in the Tete a Tete Exhibit A Look at Arboretum Visitors: Usage and Demographics Coffee: The World in Your Cup Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture Summative Evaluation

Project Website(s):

www.twitter.com/uwnewdirections www.youtube.com/newdirectionsproject www.uwnewdirections.org

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