Summative Evaluation: Q?rius

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) contracted Randi Korn & Associates, Inc. (RK&A) to conduct a multi-method summative evaluation of Q?rius, an interactive and experimental learning space that brings the unique assets of NMNH—the science, researchers, and collections—out from behind the scenes. Q?rius is designed as a flexible space for walk-in visitors visiting exhibitions at the Museum as well as a program space. Given the breadth of experiences available in the space, the scope of the evaluation specifically targeted walk-in youth and adult visitors to Q?rius. At the beginning of the project, RK&A facilitated a workshop with NMNH staff to identify the outcomes (intended results of Q?rius on walk-in visitors) as well as the indicators (specific evidence to indicate achievement of an outcome). Outcomes and indicators became the foundation for the evaluation and data collection instruments for each of the four methodologies were developed around them. The four methodologies employed are complementary and include: timing and tracking observations, ethnographies, interviews, and questionnaires.