Exploratorium OnlineExhibit-based Science Learning and Teaching Digital Library

Objectives

! Identify, select, and catalog existing digitized assetsfrom the museum’s 650 interactive exhibits

! Establish digital library interoperability mechanismsto enable the widest dissemination of item-levelmetadata to NSDL portals (including the centralmain portal)

! Create guidelines for cataloging digital exhibit-based science resources in established metadataelement set standards that capture the uniquemuseum quality and pedagogical value ofExploratorium digital assets

! Evaluate and refine the usability, accessibility, and applicability of the digital library and digitalexhibit-based resources for educators, teacher educators, and lifelong learners

P L A N N E D A R C H I T E C T U R E

Portal layer

Web browser onPC or PersonalDigital Assistant

SMETE.ORG

NSDL SERVICES

Interoperability via O AI

Harvested metadata

Metadatalayer

Major Expectations and Benefits to NSDL! New collection of exhibit-based informal learning

resources for NSDL

! Implementation of a unified search mechanism thatconducts distributed searches

! A research-informed model of teacher use of digitallibrary and media consumption patterns

! Guidelines for cataloging digital exhibit-based sci-ence resources in established metadata element setstandards

! Results from user studies about ExploratoriumOnline access and use

! Information about a partner museum’s use and howit adapts Exploratorium metadata

Project Approach (2003–2005)

The Collection

Principal Investigators: Sherry Hsi and Robert J. Semper

SMETE.ORG Team: Alice Agogino, Brandon Muramatsu, and Eric Fixler

Conduct field studiesof science teachers

and educators

Define user require-ments for digital

library

Build Exploratorium Online

digital library

Develop metadataand indices

Establish interoper-ability with NSDL

Conduct formalstudy, then evaluate

and refine

This project is supportedby the National ScienceFoundation under grantno. DUE-0333722

Target Audiences! Educators in formal and informal

learning environments (teachers,professional development staff,parents, outreach staff)

! Peer institutions (museums, sciencecenters, and universities)

! Individual, lifelong learners

About the ExploratoriumHoused within the walls of San Francisco’s

Palace of Fine Arts, the Exploratorium is a col-

lage of over 650 science, art, and human percep-

tion exhibits. The Exploratorium is a leader in

the movement to promote museums as educa-

tional centers.

This unique museum was founded in 1969 by

noted physicist and educator Dr. Frank

Oppenheimer, who devoted his efforts to the

Exploratorium—and served as its director—until

his death in 1985. Dr. Goéry Delacôte, a

renowned French scientist, science educator, and

public servant, was named executive director of

the Exploratorium in February 1991.

Exhibit-basedresources

Images from theImaging stationexhibit

Iron ScienceTeacher

Webcasts

Digital videos fromscientific researchlabs

Inquiry-based professional development materials

Images of science,art, and perceptionphenomena

“Snacks” and“recipes” for build-ing exhibits

Educators

User ServicesSearch ToolsPersonalizationUser ProfilesThesauriUsage Tracking Annotations

®