High Pulse: Exploring the Exhibit Features of a Collaborative, Whole-Body Exhibition for Experiential Learning in Science Centers

Abstract

This research work explored how collaborative, whole-body exhibits affect science learning in informal out-of-school settings. Specifically, the study investigated how exhibit features guided visitors to engage actively in experiential exploration of the exhibition topics, and how these exhibit features guided visitors to make sense of the interaction and transform experiences into knowledge. The study took place at a science center in Denmark. The context was the PULSE exhibition consisting of eight individual exhibits that aimed at facilitating discussions on the importance of bodily activities for physical and social well-being. Together the exhibits formed the traditional parts of a family home and core family activities, for example, a kitchen for cooking. Each exhibit was built on experiencing through physical activity and revolved around one or several biological phenomena, for example, balance, coordination, and suppleness. All exhibits were designed for group interactions. The study explored the visitors’ experiences with the exhibition using data from walking interviews with 34 visitor groups comprising a total of 108 visitors. Each exhibit was composed of a set of exhibit features, and the study analyzed how these features supported the experiential learning. The findings showed that the whole-body activities and group collaborations formed the greatest motivation to participate in the exhibition and, thereby, explore the themes of the exhibition. As regard the visitors’ learning, most groups expressed the joy of physical movement, group work, and need of strategy planning to carry out the activities in their conversations, whereas only a few groups seemed to perceive and reflect on the biological phenomena presented. Due to the physically demanding activities and the required social collaboration, the visitors were not able to engage in in-depth explorations of the exhibition’s scientific themes. In some exhibits where scientific information was incorporated naturally in the activity through interactive videos, the visitors talked about the themes as a natural part of the activity. Altogether, the findings have been used to outline a set of design principles for collaborative whole-body exhibits.

The influence of visitors’ specific motor actions on the perception and evaluation of museum exhibits

“…In general, we agree with other researchers [20,21,25,26] that an important element of museum activities is the creation of an attractive and comfortable environment for the active participation of visitors in the study of objects of the museum space. Such an environment is created by specially organized motor actions of visitors, which are focused on a very specific theme of a particular museum.…”

“…In studies of such field of study, through specially organized motor actions of visitors the authors recommend to create the following: an attractive and comfortable environment [20,21]; interactive data visualization [22,23,24]; conditions for active participation in the experimental study of the topics of the exhibition [25]; conditions for achieving the harmony of one's body, which is inherent in works of art [21]. Such approaches lead to the interaction of staff and visitors, has a positive impact on the interaction of visitors with exhibits [26].…”

“…The authors argue that walking and other movements are components of the interpretive achievements of visitors, and not just a background for them. In a study by Lykke et al [25] explored approaches that encourage visitors to actively participate in experiential exploration of exhibition themes. Each exhibit was built on experience through physical activity: balance, coordination and flexibility.…”