Journey to Space Summative Evaluation Report

The Science Museum of Minnesota (SMM) engaged Rockman et al (REA) to conduct a summative evaluation of the museum’s Journey to Space (Space) exhibit. Space is a large-scale traveling exhibition that simulates a journey to the International Space Station (ISS), allows visitors to explore the physical properties of low gravity environments, and introduces some of the engineering and technology that makes it possible to live and work in space. This exhibit is a collaborative project led by SMM, the California Science Center and the three other members of the Science Museum Exhibit Collaborative. The goals of the exhibit are to encourage museum visitors to: 1) immerse themselves in the sights and sound that astronauts experience traveling to, and living in, space; 2) engage as problem solvers with some of the unique engineering challenges that must be solved to support living and working in space; and 3) experience life aboard the ISS interpreted through the voices of engineers, scientists, and astronauts. The purpose of this mixed method summative evaluation study was to gather information on visitors’ interest in and perception of the exhibit; visitors’ interest in and understanding of space science and research; the appeal of the exhibit across different audiences and contexts; and any impacts on visitor attitudes and understanding of the exhibit-specific content and technology