Southeast Museums Conference SEMC piloted a new professional development initiative, the SEMC Leadership Institute, for mid-career museum staff.  We created an evaluation strategy that involved input to obtain participants’ expectations, an end-of-Institute questionnaire, a 3-month later exploration of participants’ perspectives on the Institute and their own work-and-career-related challenges, and a year-later workshop to talk about accomplishments and directions.  SEMC used the evaluation to decide that the pilot venture was a success and will be offering the Institute again. Association for African American Museums Washington, DC — In 2007-08, we conducted a National Survey of African American cultural organizations (museums, archives, other organizations with collections) for this museum-service organization, yielding an analysis and assessment of organizational characteristics, and a national directory. Ten years later, we conducted a Needs Assessment, taking a national perspective on African American museums as well as individual members (in-museum staff as well as independent professionals, students, and other members). National Association for Museum Exhibition Analyzed NAME members’ understanding of AAM’s subscription renewal process, as well as members’ perceptions of “Exhibitionist” (now “Exhibition”) to inform editors as they changed the format and content. Newark Conservancy Newark, NJ — To define the educational value for 2nd and 3rd graders, and its impact on their interest in urban nature, PPDR evaluated a school-group program, “Urban Habitats.” International Polar Palooza China and Australia — Working with Geoffrey Haines-Stiles Productions, we conducted an evaluation of hi-def media auditorium presentations in several cities by panels of polar scientists describing their research projects and the relationship of polar conditions to the rest of the planet. Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts Harrisburg, PA — We started our work here with Audience Research for master planning, addressing issues about the composition of the audience, use/interest in temporary exhibitions, defined space and experiences for preschool children, and logistical issues, with Roto Studio, master planners. Later, we conducted Evaluations of 1) two versions of live programming (typical docent-led vs. theatrical) developed for a Science On a Sphere installation, on the subject of storm formation; and 2) “Surgery Live,” a program for high school classes involving live broadcast of non-emergency surgery from a nearby teaching hospital. Balboa Art Conservation Center San Diego, CA — PPDR conducted a Needs Assessment for artifact conservation workshops for the Western Region (four western states, staff of museums, archives, libraries, etc. involved in object /art /document conservation), and later a Post-workshop Evaluation assessing follow-up impacts… Read more »

Wildlife Conservation Society Bronx, NY — PPDR conducted Front-end, Formative and Summative Evaluation for planning and designing the spectacular exhibition, “Congo Gorilla Forest” (AAM and AZA awards for Best Exhibit of the Year). Congo Gorilla Forest Revisited: Years later, our Summative Evaluation explored design issues about the need for revisions, asking questions such as “What are visitors’ perceptions of this exhibition 15 years after opening? Is it still as enjoyable and as effective in conveying conservation messages as it was in the original summative evaluation? (as documented in Curator, 2004, 47(3), p. 261-278: “Why is Congo Gorilla Forest a Successful Conservation Exhibit?”) Saint Louis Zoo St. Louis, MO — Using observations, staff discussion groups and interviews, our Analysis of Visitor Orientation, assessed generations of sign systems and created criteria for resolving orientation challenges at this multi-acre site.

Las Cruces Museum System Las Cruces, NM — Completed a multi-faceted study with the goal of making a stronger connection with local Latino-Hispanic-Mexicano residents, using community input and audience analysis to develop possible concepts for a new exhibition about Las Cruces (collaborating with Tey Marianna Nunn of the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque). Adirondack Experience (formerly Adirondack Museum) Blue Mountain Lake, NY — Following the completion of a spectacular new exhibition, “Life in the Adirondacks” earlier in the summer season, we conducted a two-method Visitor Study to explore publicity awareness, decisions to visit the Museum due to knowledge of the new exhibition, and satisfaction with the experience. Prior to that project, our Storyline Testing for the schematic design phase 1 of a new exhibition, looked at interest in environmental topics and interactive exhibit ideas among local residents and members. We also completed Audience Research for a Master Plan, including a review of 15 years of previous studies, an online survey of upstate NY current and potential visitors, and a concept development study conducted at multiple locations in the Adirondack Park to assess residents’ and visitors’ patterns of visiting interpretive/museum sites and their interest in and reactions to a variety of proposed exhibit concepts. Previous projects include Evaluation of visitor satisfaction with the audio tour, Image Study of the museum among a wide range of visitors to the Adirondack Park, Qualitative Research to inform planning of temporary exhibits, and two comprehensive Visitor Analyses. Levine Museum of the New South Charlotte, NC — This Museum is unusual in its spirit of connecting to its community, past and present, featuring social issues as well as community development. The new Director asked us for a thorough analysis of the Museum’s public image, including whether they should be marketing for awareness or for motivation, their reputation in the community, and public interests that could connect to future programming. Our quantitative study of ~ 700 households answered critical questions about the Museum’s relationship to its audiences. Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate Boston, MA — PPDR conducted a Visitor Experience Study for this new museum, to investigate visitors’ use and reactions to the technology, the exhibit storyline, the Senate Chamber, and take-away messages about how government works. Read our EMK case study on the Visitor Experience Studies page >>> Louisiana State Museum New Orleans, LA — Through our long relationship with this museum, we completed six… Read more »

Nurture Nature Center Easton, PA — Our Front-End Research and Formative Evaluation was done to determine whether a NASA-funded science program for middle school students raises students’ level of awareness and understanding of the interconnectedness of Earth systems. Using a theme of ‘6 degrees of influence’ NNC was awarded a highly competitive grant to design and implement this Science On a Sphere program, offered at the Nurture Nature Center and the Maryland Science Center (Baltimore). Tech Museum of Innovation (now called “The Tech Interactive”) San Jose, CA — PPDR has conducted Front-End Research and Formative Evaluation of the “Bio-tinkering Lab” — a laboratory space (funded by NIH, SEPA) created in partnership with a science program at Stanford University. Front-end Research focused on the perceptions of middle school aged children visiting in family groups, such as their awareness and understanding of biology-related terms and concepts. Formative Evaluation, so far, has investigated an innovative bio-ink created by bacteria. For the past few years, The Tech has been moving in the direction of more open-ended exhibit experiences, and now they are trying this with biology. SEE Science Center Manchester, NY — This Science Center received an IMLS grant to develop virtual programs for schools to replace/substitute for field trips and outreach programs during the pandemic. The goal for evaluation is to analyze children’s perceptions of the virtual programs and compare this to children’s experience with in-person programs (in progress). Boonshoft Museum of Discovery Dayton, OH — PPDR has completed several evaluations for “Exoplanets Exploration” — a NASA-funded exhibition about the science and technology behind the search for planets elsewhere in the universe — including Formative, Remedial and Summative Evaluations. For the Formative Evaluation, we focused on 9-13 year olds and guided staff in a study of two prototype components. The Summative Evaluation found that this exhibition engaged children with space exploration in a variety of ways and there was a wide range of ‘entry points’ to the educational content, from the familiar to the more complex. Ecotarium Worcester, MA — The data from our Summative Evaluation of “City Science: the Science You Live” — a family-friendly interactive exhibition — was helpful in two ways. The expressed goal was to choose a small number of the 27 components for a traveling exhibition, but the data also helped to define how and why the exhibition was so family-friendly, and reflected well on the idea of recognizing science in everyday life. MIT Museum Cambridge,… Read more »

Ecotarium Worcester, MA — After opening a family-friendly interactive exhibition,“City Science: the Science You Live,” this nature/natural history/science museum engaged us to investigate visitor experience with a Summative Evaluation. The expressed goal was to choose a small number of the 27 components for a traveling exhibition, but the data also helped to define how and why the exhibition was so family-friendly, and reflected well on the idea of recognizing science in everyday life. Kenai Fjords National Park Seward, AK — The Formative Evaluation of prototype interactive exhibits that we did for a proposed expansion of the the Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center included observation and interviewing of visitors, investigating how well the prototype exhibits communicated key concepts (with Amaze Design, Boston MA). Carnegie Museum of Natural History Pittsburgh, PA — PPDR assisted with a Remedial Evaluation of the exhibition, “Dinosaurs in Their Time,” focusing on perceptions of key messages. Denver Museum of Nature & Science Denver, CO — PPDR conducted several studies including a Summative Evaluation of a rare combination of three different types of programming for Science-On-a-Sphere (SOS), funded by NASA: scripted shows, docent facilitated experiences, and self-guided (with auto-run playlists and added interpretive text and graphics on flat screen monitors). In our Formative Study for the Health Sciences exhibition, visitors interacted with mock-ups of numerous exhibit components and gave their opinions; in collaboration with Jeff Kennedy Associates. And our Summative Evaluation of “Space Odyssey,” a permanent exhibition about space exploration and space science included observations, ‘flash card’ interviews, and a post-visit follow-up study — all focused on assessing the unusual goals for this exhibition, which were experiential rather than content-based. American Museum of Natural History New York, NY — Key issues for a Summative Evaluation of “Creatures of Light,” an exhibition about bioluminescence, included visitors’ use and reactions to an innovative installation of iPads, awareness and reactions to the custom-created music in each section, and overall recognition of the storyline and interpretive design features. We also conducted a Summative Evaluation of “Climate Change,” a temporary exhibition about the evidence, personal behavior, and infrastructure solutions to a changing climate. City University of NY (American Museum of Natural History); (City University of New York, Research Foundation) New York, NY — AMNH collaborated with Dr. David Gruber to produce the fluorescence exhibit in “Creatures of Light” (mentioned above) highlighting Dr. Gruber’s NSF-funded research on coral reefs. With a target audience of middle school students, the Exhibit Evaluation we did was designed… Read more »