1. ENGAGE FAMILIES DEVELOPING & FACILITATING INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAMS IN MUSEUMS & LIBRARIES

2. FAMILY LEARNING PROJECT ANNE GRIMES RAND, PRESIDENT USS CONSTITUTION MUSEUM

3. What does Family Learning look like? Family Learning Project 2004 — 2011 Study how families learn in unfacilitated galleries in history museums Encourage family learning through CONVERSATION Identify low-cost, low-tech interactive elements that can be replicated Disseminate effective techniques through website “tool kit”

4. What is the Goal? Tell a compelling story? Cram as much information in as possible? Create an enjoyable, informative, social and educational experience? Exhibit Planning – Thinking Differently Traditional Exhibit Family Learning Prototype

5. How do you compare to the Average Sailor in 1812? How tall are you? How old are you? What color are your eyes? What color is your hair? Are you African American? Do you have any tattoos? Designing Exhibits to Engage all Ages Themes and topics Select stories & collections with family appeal Tell a good story Consider emotional trajectory of exhibit Personal Connection Offer interpretive links to the visitor’s experience

6. Designing Exhibits to Engage all Ages Appeal to different learning styles Assess your exhibit elements with a matrix of learning styles Can you convey this concept without a paragraph of text?

7. Exhibits Designed for Group Conversation Let visitors sit & face each other Ask the families how to make it more engaging Watch families Talk to families Listen to families Respond to families! “Conversation is the currency of family learning." Minda Borun, Franklin Institute

8. More questions! More game like! Give us a score card! Let us play a role! Give us more information! Prototyping Works!

9. Make visitors part of exhibit development! Our findings … Visitors spend 3x longer in new exhibit Greatest family conversation & engagement occurs around interactives Hands-on enhances recall & learning PISEC = accessible learning environment Voluntary donations increased (240%) Fewer words = more reading It’s not dumbing down, it’s lightening up! Caution: It can be noisy, messy & very rewarding!

10. NEW STRATEGY The USS Constitution Museum will provide a hands-on minds-on environment where inter- generational groups seeking an enjoyable, educational experience can have fun and learn as they explore history together. “Wow, this is way better than Disney!” USS Constitution Museum visitor

11. BENEFITS OF EMBRACING A FAMILY AUDIENCE Expand your audience today and in the future. See adults and children laughing and learning together. Potential positive impact on your bottom line! Photo by Greg Copper

12. PLEASE WELCOME… Tim Porter Boston Children’s Museum Author of Learning Together: Families in Museums – Staff Training Curriculum, Sarah Watkins, Lauren McCormack & Adriana Maksy Engage Families Project Team USS Constitution Museum Lynn D. Dierking Sea Grant Professor in Free-Choice Learning, Oregon State University Videos and slides from today’s workshop will be available at www.engagefamilies.org in the coming weeks.