Weighing the Evidence Summative Evaluation

In 2012, the Science Museum of Minnesota (SMM) received funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop an exhibition utilizing objects from the former Museum of Questionable Medical Devices (QMDs), contextualizing them in the greater conversation about scientific skepticism and how people make healthcare decisions. The resulting exhibition, Weighing the Evidence, opened in December 2015. This kt, object-based exhibition is organized into four islands of artifacts with accompanying information and hands-on “Try It” interactives, which allow visitors to experience some questionable medical devices first hand. The exhibition’s positioning at a junction gallery space provides high visitor foot traffic in and out of the area. An exhibition evaluation was conducted in the winter of 2016.