The Exploratorium's Visitor Research and Evaluation Department conducts research on informal learning in the public space of our museum. In addition, we conduct evaluation studies to inform and improve the exhibits and programs developed at the Exploratorium.
Our research studies address issues that have applicability beyond a particular exhibit or set of exhibits. Often, they include quantitative comparisons among different potential strategies for the design of exhibits and programs.
Evaluation studies at the Exploratorium fall into three categories, front-end, formative, and summative, according to when the study is performed and what types of questions the study addresses.
These are some of the exhibit and program development projects we have recently been working on:
