Reptile Science Centers: Integrating Informal Science Education into Traditional Zoo Exhibits

September 1st, 1990 - February 28th, 1995 | PROJECT

The National Zoological Park, a component of the Smithsonian Institution, proposes transforming three traditional zoo exhibit buildings into centers for informal science learning. Based on current knowledge about learning, the proposed project will feature interactive elements as well as the greater use of human interpreters to help visitors examine animals, handle objects and play games. The project is to be a collaborative effort by the National Zoological Park, the Dallas Zoo and Zoo Atlanta, with the National Zoo developing the materials and making and shipping copies to Dallas and Atlanta as centers for tryout and evaluation, with the results of the studies going to other zoos in way of encouraging them of the importance of interactive science education.

Project Website(s)

(no project website provided)

Team Members

Judith White, Principal Investigator, Smithsonian Institution
James Murphy, Contact, Smithsonian Institution
Dale Marcellini, Co-Principal Investigator, Smithsonian Institution
Jeffrey Swanagan, Co-Principal Investigator, Zoo Atlanta

Funders

Funding Source: NSF
Funding Program: ISE/AISL
Award Number: 9050216
Funding Amount: 579990

Tags

Audience: Evaluators | General Public | Museum | ISE Professionals
Discipline: Education and learning science | Life science
Resource Type: Project Descriptions
Environment Type: Aquarium and Zoo Exhibits | Exhibitions