This study describes and analyzes Oregon Trail related
exhibits of eleven museums and two interpretive centers
that are geographically located along the Oregon Trail
from Baker City, Oregon to Portland, Oregon. The exhibits
were featured at the facilities during the 1993 Oregon
Trail Sesquicentennial, a celebration that was initiated
and...
Museums, aquariums, and technology centers are informal learning environments that facilitate the understanding of scientific phenomena while supporting self-motivated learning. Families are a social group that frequently visits these sites. There are multiple opportunities for adults and children to engage in independent sense-making and collective discussion about their experiences with...
Outreach is a small, but significant component to modern research.
Developing an exhibit for public display can be an effective way to communicate science to broad audiences, although it may be a less familiar method to scientists than writing papers or giving presentations. I outline the process of developing an...
In the past two decades, occurrences of summertime upwelling-driven low dissolved oxygen (DO) events, or hypoxia, have increased along the northeast Pacific coast. If hypoxic events are severe enough to cause marine species mortality, the areas affected are often called "dead zones." In 2002 and again in 2006, the events...
For the type of museums discussed in this paper,
the nonprofit organization type, the board of
directors is the governing body. The board approves
the policies that guide the staff in administering the
museum. The relationship between the board and the
staff should be one of respect and cooperation; but...
This is an evaluation report for the installation of the Magic Planet exhibit at the Hatfield Marine Science Center. The report is on file with NOAA and is Oregon Sea Grant Publication ORESU-S 10-04.
Museums and tourism have had a long and interrelated history. In this
paper this relationship is reviewed in general, and the contemporary issues
common to them both in the 1990's are discussed. This relationship is also explored
in the context of the Oregon Coastal Zone. Two projects set on the...
Authentic assessment of visitor learning in museum settings is a challenging
endeavor. Evaluation literature includes very few studies that link adult visitors' behavior
to their learning. Multiple data collection methods in a naturalistic environment hold
great promise for increasing understanding of informal public education.
In 1997, Oregon State University's Hatfield...
In this study I explored the variety of educational opportunities
available in museums. Next, I examined the museum education programs
in the Portland, Oregon area and described what types of opportunities are
available to teachers. Finally, I made suggestions for teachers on how to
best access museum programs and for...
Due to the overwhelming concern for the current state of our oceans, The Pew Ocean Commission (2003) and the U.S. Commission on Ocean policy (2004), have both strongly recommended an increase in our society’s ocean literacy. An increase in ocean literacy can be achieved through informal education institutions such as...