Vincent Rusbosin

SLM-521

Online Museums

Activity 2:

Museum Website Rubric:

Assignment 2

Exploratorium: The Museum of Science, Art and Human Perception

I chose this website mainly due to its educational tools, virtual exhibits and interactive resources. The fact that they pursue to be an informal supplementary form of education is also appealing. The site also reaches populations from all ages and grade levels. For the most part it is aesthetically pleasing but there is room for improvement regarding font size and color. I do however believe that the content of the website is the main attraction. Numerous online activities, exhibitions, webcasts, news and hands on activities are available for interaction. I was completely impressed with this website and all the possible interaction available for students, educators and adults. Some of the graphics used on a few pages could be enhanced but overall, excellent site, awesome concepts and great interaction. The online exhibitions sparks curiosity and engage the user in intriguing graphics and scientific fun.

Student Mini Activities:

Go to http://www.exploratorium.edu/explore/online.html

1. Complete one activity of your choosing from each of the provided categories.

   a) for each activity, write a 1-2 sentence summary of each activity.

   b) also grade each activity (A,B, or C) for the following categories: Educational, Interesting, Fun

Go to http://www.exploratorium.edu/climate/index.html

2. Use the toolbars across the top to navigate to each page and answer the following questions.

   a) Atmosphere:What gases trap heat and warmth to support life?

   b) Hydrosphere: Oceans cover how much of the earths surface?

   c) Cryosphere: How much solar energy is reflected by the planets snow and ice?

   d) Biosphere: List two things that may have an detrimental effect on plants an animals. (one manmade & one natural)

   e) Global Effects: List two interpretations of future global changes.

Go to http://www.exploratorium.edu/baseball/reactiontime.html

3) Play the interactive game (Reaction Time) and read the following abstract.

a) Then go to http://www.exploratorium.edu/baseball/biobaseball.html and read the article named Biological Baseball

b) How long does a 95mph fastball take to travel 60'6”?

c) If the batter decides to swing, he must do so when the ball is no closer then ___ '

4) Go to http://www.exploratorium.edu/explore/index.html

a) Pick two sections of this website that we did not explore and spend time getting familiar with its content

b) Write a paragraph for each section you pick describing what you thought was commendable and what you would to do to improve the site.

c) Reflect back on your entire online museum experience and write what you learned was the most valuable, interesting, and fun

Activity 1

Exploratorium: The Museum of Science, Art and Human Perception

The Exploratorium located within the walls of the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco is made up of an extensive collection of art, science and perception exhibits. With approximately 20 million visitors each year and over 18 thousand web pages containing audio and video, the exploratorium website is very interactive and educational. It is very aesthetically pleasing and excels at providing useful tools for educating students of all ages. Numerous online activities, exhibitions, webcasts, news and hands on activities are available for interaction. I was completely impressed with this website and all the possible interaction available for students, educators and adults. Some of the graphics used on a few pages could be enhanced but overall, excellent site, awesome concepts and great interaction. The online exhibitions sparks curiosity and engage the user in intriguing graphics and scientific fun. Loosing track of time while exploring this site and all the features it has to offer is expected.

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Dedicated to lifelong education the NASM strives to provide visitors with superior exhibitions, collections and educational tools that will inspire all learners. Consisting of and maintaining the worlds largest collection of air and spacecraft, the internationally renown museum is a key research center for aviation technology, planetary science and history, and terrestrial geology. The site itself is very well organized with useful toolbar categories along that top that allows users to quickly find the links they are interested in finding. Great pictures, videos and interactive tools are eye appealing and fun. The exhibition category provides past, present and upcoming events and an interactive online section that ranges form the Wright Brothers and the milestones of flight to Planetary Exploration. The educational resources are excellent, they provide free programs for school and organized youth groups, resources for the classroom setting and even online activities. There is also electronic field trips (EFT) that allow two way distance learning interactions and webcast programs.

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

Dedicated to increasing knowledge, understanding, appreciation and interest for the Chesapeake Bay. With the goal to communicate to the public and students the importance of the largest estuary in the United States and the impact of its incredibly complex ecosystem. The Bays watershed stretches over 64,000 square miles, across six states (Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, and the District of Columbia). Over 600,000 acres of wetlands and adjoining woodlands provide a natural habitat for over 2,700 different species of plants and animals. The Chesapeake Bay also is the world's leading source of blue crabs. The site has some interesting features but is for the most part pretty cut and dry with basic graphics and no virtual interaction for the user. It does use a drop down navigational toolbar across the top which makes it easy to find information. It does not seem that the site was geared for children but some teenagers may find it interesting. The museum dedicated to the Bay is not your typical museum, on an eighteen acer campus and nine exhibit buildings, the history of the Chesapeake is told through real people, exhibits and the work that strives to improving and maintaining this natural world wonder. Interactive programs are also available to inform the visitors of what to expect from the Maritime Museum. Collections of artifacts, watercraft, historic buildings, photographs, and visual arts are also on permanent display. Education programs consisting of guided and self guided tours, hands on programs, and curriculum units target students and schools. Adult guided tours and boater's safety courses are also available.