year old boys.
In designing exhibits it is important to be very cognizant of the age group you are playing to. Talk to an early education specialist.
Second, it helps if this exhibit is in the context of the remainder of the museum. This exhibits "lesson" (don't use that word around the patrons) should tie to other lessons within the museum.
KISS. Pick one idea to get across, don't get greedy.
No matter how bulletproof the physical design is a 3 year old will break it at least once. Have spares.
I spent a lot of time (in the dim and distant past) visiting children's museums all across the country and building exhibits for the Miami Children's Museum.
The exhibits that seemed to excite me and the kids the most were the ones that were either just fun (who cared about the ideas) or that gets an idea across in a very simple visually (or tactile) understandable way.
What is the first thing a kid in the 3 - 8 range needs to know about computers? Is it the parts (cpu, display, kbd, etc). Is it that it does multiple things (types, shows movies, etc).
Talk to the folks at your museum, they know their clientele. Then talk to the clientele about a couple ideas (if you can slow them down or have your own captive ones).
Good luck. My life with children's museums was some of the most rewarding work I've done. Don't let the opportunity pass you by.
Slashdot Mirror
year old boys. In designing exhibits it is important to be very cognizant of the age group you are playing to. Talk to an early education specialist. Second, it helps if this exhibit is in the context of the remainder of the museum. This exhibits "lesson" (don't use that word around the patrons) should tie to other lessons within the museum. KISS. Pick one idea to get across, don't get greedy. No matter how bulletproof the physical design is a 3 year old will break it at least once. Have spares. I spent a lot of time (in the dim and distant past) visiting children's museums all across the country and building exhibits for the Miami Children's Museum. The exhibits that seemed to excite me and the kids the most were the ones that were either just fun (who cared about the ideas) or that gets an idea across in a very simple visually (or tactile) understandable way. What is the first thing a kid in the 3 - 8 range needs to know about computers? Is it the parts (cpu, display, kbd, etc). Is it that it does multiple things (types, shows movies, etc). Talk to the folks at your museum, they know their clientele. Then talk to the clientele about a couple ideas (if you can slow them down or have your own captive ones). Good luck. My life with children's museums was some of the most rewarding work I've done. Don't let the opportunity pass you by.
Having done a fair bit of Children's Museum work this sounds good. They will like this.