APE (Active Prolonged Engagement) is a way of thinking and acting at exhibits that's a bit different from the traditional mode museum visitors often fall into. Active visitors are in the driver’s seat, deciding for themselves what to try next rather than following a set of instructions from the museum. Prolonged means that visitors spend more time with the exhibits, getting more involved with the phenomena than they might at other exhibits. And Engaged visitors try a variety of things at the exhibit, with each action they take somehow building on their previous actions. At APE exhibits, visitors can bring more of themselves—their fascinations, desires, questions, goals, and expectations—to the exhibit experience.

APE Project website
http://www.exploratorium.edu/partner/ape

Featured exhibits include: