Planet Earth Decision Theater Summative Evaluation

In 2010, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded the Science Museum of Minnesota (SMM) an Environmental Literacy Grant for Science Education. Over the course of four years, SMM’s Planet Earth Decision Theater project developed new Science on a Sphere (SOS) programming, films and other scientific visualizations all intended to increase public understanding of the major role that humanity now plays in creating large-scale global change. Evaluation Questions 1. Are the components interesting and enjoyable? 2. Are visitors aware of the components’ main messages? 3. Do visitors, especially those in the Movable Middle, show a shift in acceptance of the two big ideas behind the Future Earth exhibition? a. Humans have a lot of impact on the Earth. b. Humans have the potential to solve Earth’s land, air and water problems. 4. What role does the context of the exhibit components play in their success? This Evaluation Report includes visitor data from both the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Maryland Science Center. Includes survey.