Current Science Formative Evaluation: Visitors’ Perceptions and Use of Exhibits in ‘Current Science Central’

This study was commissioned to provide systematic feedback regarding visitor experience of the Low-Carb Craze exhibits (about nutrition and dieting) in Current Science Central. The principal issues to be investigated were about the interpretive experience: are visitors getting the idea that this is about current science information?; do visitors perceive the information to be recent?; are they learning any new information or not? To address these issues, an evaluation strategy was developed that focused on people's perceptions of the content and reactions to the activities; specifically, adults and children in the target age group (10 to 12) were interviewed as they were leaving the area (after they had been observed using at least one exhibit component). The sample consisted of 60 children and 102 adults (some visiting with children and some visiting alone or with other adults).