Category: Exhibits
So if you have been on the museum conference circuit in the past two years, the term “crowd-sourcing” is not new to you. Conference sessions aplenty have been conducted about this concept, discussing it from every angle – Is it good? Is it bad? How do we get more? How do we get less? How do we convince people who think it is bad that it is good? How do we convince people who think it is good that it is bad? Round and round and round. No decisions made. Which is good. This is not a topic the museum community should decide on its own. (more…)
With the start of 2011 comes the 150th anniversary of the Civil War – the War Between the States, the War of the Rebellion, the War of Northern Aggression, the War for Southern Independence, the Freedom War. All of these names have appeared in history text books. The version of the war I studied in school is different than the version you studied. What you learned about the causes of the Civil War depends on the decade and the state in which you were educated. (more…)
The exhibit review “Child’s Play” in the November/December issue of Museum magazine (AAM) got my mind turning about ways to engage kids in history museums. The article featured the Great Lakes Children’s Museum in Greilickville, Michigan. It sounds like a great place for kids to get their hands dirty and learn by doing. One portion of the exhibit allowed kids (and their parents!) to build dams and reservoirs and then to test the successfulness of their creation with toy boats. Another allows kids to engage in “dramatic play,” in this case, using uniforms, dishes and fake food to play lighthouse keeper.
I wonder how many history organizations are embracing these methods to appeal to their youngest museum visitors? I envision parents and kids wearing colonial caps, collecting firewood, gardening… Dealing with cooking over a fire with small kids is a problem, but could be addressed with proper supervision. Anyone who has embraced these methods, please post in the comments section and share your experiences!
An article from the Institute of Museum and Library Services points out that students can lose up to 2 1/2 months worth of learning over the summer holiday if they do not read or participate in other educational activities. The article sites several initiatives libraries and museums across the nation are undertaking to help parents engage their kids during the summer months. (more…)
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