Why Research Is Important: A Framework For Children's Museum Experience

Where No Researcher Has Gone Before - 1:15 - 2:30 Ballroom C
Submitted by Angelica

Peter Crabbe, EdD - Channel Islands
Henrike Moll, PhD - USC
Cynthia Mark-Humel - Dupage
Nicole Rivera, North Central College

The main purpose of this session was to talk about the importance of research and how it shapes the function of how they serve (exhibits, services). Presenters covered the purpose of research (that it can create a better museum), shared examples of hoe researched shaped their museums, and how we are learning about children. My favorite was learning that children believe in mutual recognition - that both children need to see eyes / or mouths must be able to talk / ears to hear - for their to be a connection. Something many adults don't seem to understand or have forgotten! I think we are definitely using more research and data in our every day services and it seems like there might by some use moving towards the 2nd Floor - I know Wess, Rina, and the program team just wrapped up some research collection for the STEAM grant - might be a great place to start!

If this sounds interesting to you - you can check out my notes below, or feel free to ask me questions ....

Notes from session:

Peter - started as an exhibit designer, coming from arts background. Worked with Education Chair, Early Childhood Specialist - they would give feedback on how children would respond to designs. This was his tip off to the importance of research. One of the keys of research is to look for patterns (ex. in nature - birds, themes in words and writing). Constructivist theory, Vigotsky is where development starts, but need to look deeper than salient commonalities.

Henrika - Early Childhood Research at USC and Kidspace - at USC - Minds in Development Lab. Social cognitive development - the way children learn from others and the way they reach out to other people. We live in a social world and it is important to understand others and how things work. Looking into the roots of human cognition.

Use harmless, non invasive behavioral studies and methods - focused ages 2 - 6, minimal language. "Theory of Mind" - our understanding of how others minds works. Counterfactual reasoning - thinking of what could have happened in someone else's mind. Future directed thinking - project self into the future.

Working with Kidspace they set up a booth, parents sign up if interested, take about 45 minutes to participate. Often had children watch puppet shows. Children are assigned numbers and also given gifts / prizes at the end.

Findings - preschoolers demand to be mutually engaged. Children are susceptible to suspense - aware of the others frame of mind. Record children's expressions during puppet show (lip biting, lip curling, open and close of mouth, making a fist). Children love hide and seek, but not very good -  if they cannot see they believe you cannot see them (Piaget believed - egocentric). The new research shows something different - children believe it must be MUTUAL RELATEDNESS and RECOGNITION. Unless the pair of eyes make contact- there is no seeing.

Nicole / Cynthia - Dupage - 30 year anniversary for museum. Many museums in the past did not use research. Dupage was rare in that it was founded by a woman with a Masters in Early Childhood Education, research was part of the museum DNA from the beginning (focusing on development). People who worked there had a strong academic background, floor staff were masters level, early childhood education.

Brought children into empty building with exhibits / university to work with children on developing the content for the exhibits to be designed. It became part of grant - Amherst professor, published work. ACCII - Adult Child Interactive Inventory - how are people using exhibits.

Staff have helped to collect observations - action research. Problems - none of us are objective. Still very useful.

Marketing oriented studies - while not pure research, valuable information.