Open Forum

Hi everyone,

I'm a graduate student in Museum Studies preparing a thesis around comparing visitor motivations to natural history museums and theme parks. My 3 research questions are:

1. How do visitor motivations to attend natural history museums and theme parks compare?
2. How does incorporating theme park elements and storytelling methods into natural history museum programming and exhibition content affect visitor motivations to attend natural history museums?
3. How does incorporating theme park elements and storytelling methods into natural history museum programming and exhibition content affect visitor perceptions of natural history museums?

I wanted to reach out to the AAM community to request feedback and/or suggestions for relevant resources. I've also attached my work-in-progress so far in case anyone was curious. I really appreciate your input!

Thank you!
-Stephen

------------------------------
Stephen Drury
Security Supervisor
Florida Museum of Natural History - University of Florida
Gainesville FL
------------------------------

I recommend getting in touch with Colleen Dilenschneider about this topic. She'll likely have some input and data that'll be helpful. She also has a great article and video, somewhat related, about incorporating entertainment elements into cultural exhibitions: https://www.colleendilen.com/2018/12/12/cultural-organizations-entertainment-not-dirty-word-data/


------------------------------
David Whitemyer AIA
Director of Business Development
Luci Creative
Lincolnwood IL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-27-2019 01:55 PM
From: Stephen Drury
Subject: Comparing visitor motivations to natural history museums and theme parks

Hi everyone,

I'm a graduate student in Museum Studies preparing a thesis around comparing visitor motivations to natural history museums and theme parks. My 3 research questions are:

1. How do visitor motivations to attend natural history museums and theme parks compare?
2. How does incorporating theme park elements and storytelling methods into natural history museum programming and exhibition content affect visitor motivations to attend natural history museums?
3. How does incorporating theme park elements and storytelling methods into natural history museum programming and exhibition content affect visitor perceptions of natural history museums?

I wanted to reach out to the AAM community to request feedback and/or suggestions for relevant resources. I've also attached my work-in-progress so far in case anyone was curious. I really appreciate your input!

Thank you!
-Stephen

------------------------------
Stephen Drury
Security Supervisor
Florida Museum of Natural History - University of Florida
Gainesville FL
------------------------------

Original Message------

I recommend getting in touch with Colleen Dilenschneider about this topic. She'll likely have some input and data that'll be helpful. She also has a great article and video, somewhat related, about incorporating entertainment elements into cultural exhibitions: https://www.colleendilen.com/2018/12/12/cultural-organizations-entertainment-not-dirty-word-data/


------------------------------
David Whitemyer AIA
Director of Business Development
Luci Creative
Lincolnwood IL
------------------------------

Thank you for the resource David, much appreciated!

------------------------------
Stephen Drury
Security Guard
Florida Museum of Natural History - University of Florida
Gainesville FL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-28-2019 06:30 AM
From: David Whitemyer
Subject: Comparing visitor motivations to natural history museums and theme parks

I recommend getting in touch with Colleen Dilenschneider about this topic. She'll likely have some input and data that'll be helpful. She also has a great article and video, somewhat related, about incorporating entertainment elements into cultural exhibitions: https://www.colleendilen.com/2018/12/12/cultural-organizations-entertainment-not-dirty-word-data/


------------------------------
David Whitemyer AIA
Director of Business Development
Luci Creative
Lincolnwood IL

Original Message:
Sent: 05-27-2019 01:55 PM
From: Stephen Drury
Subject: Comparing visitor motivations to natural history museums and theme parks

Hi everyone,

I'm a graduate student in Museum Studies preparing a thesis around comparing visitor motivations to natural history museums and theme parks. My 3 research questions are:

1. How do visitor motivations to attend natural history museums and theme parks compare?
2. How does incorporating theme park elements and storytelling methods into natural history museum programming and exhibition content affect visitor motivations to attend natural history museums?
3. How does incorporating theme park elements and storytelling methods into natural history museum programming and exhibition content affect visitor perceptions of natural history museums?

I wanted to reach out to the AAM community to request feedback and/or suggestions for relevant resources. I've also attached my work-in-progress so far in case anyone was curious. I really appreciate your input!

Thank you!
-Stephen

------------------------------
Stephen Drury
Security Supervisor
Florida Museum of Natural History - University of Florida
Gainesville FL
------------------------------

Hello Stephen,

In addition, I suggest looking into the NSF-funded project Why Zoos and Aquariums Matter (wzam.org) which looks at visitor learning and motivations. The project is currently in its third phase (third grant), so data isn't in on WZAM3 yet, but I definitely recommend watching the two webinars that describe the (rather complex) research questions and prototcols, as it dives into the questions of what people expect to "get" out of their visits to a variety of STEM learning environments - including their own backyards.

------------------------------
Betsy Loring

Worcester MA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-27-2019 01:55 PM
From: Stephen Drury
Subject: Comparing visitor motivations to natural history museums and theme parks

Hi everyone,

I'm a graduate student in Museum Studies preparing a thesis around comparing visitor motivations to natural history museums and theme parks. My 3 research questions are:

1. How do visitor motivations to attend natural history museums and theme parks compare?
2. How does incorporating theme park elements and storytelling methods into natural history museum programming and exhibition content affect visitor motivations to attend natural history museums?
3. How does incorporating theme park elements and storytelling methods into natural history museum programming and exhibition content affect visitor perceptions of natural history museums?

I wanted to reach out to the AAM community to request feedback and/or suggestions for relevant resources. I've also attached my work-in-progress so far in case anyone was curious. I really appreciate your input!

Thank you!
-Stephen

------------------------------
Stephen Drury
Security Supervisor
Florida Museum of Natural History - University of Florida
Gainesville FL
------------------------------

Hi Stephen,

I see that you have cited Falk in your thesis, have you looked at the paper "An Identity-Centered Approach to Understanding Museum Learning"? The file is attached. Also, take a look at the references for some additional potential sources.

------------------------------
Betty Brennan
President
Taylor Studios, Inc.
Rantoul IL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-27-2019 01:55 PM
From: Stephen Drury
Subject: Comparing visitor motivations to natural history museums and theme parks

Hi everyone,

I'm a graduate student in Museum Studies preparing a thesis around comparing visitor motivations to natural history museums and theme parks. My 3 research questions are:

1. How do visitor motivations to attend natural history museums and theme parks compare?
2. How does incorporating theme park elements and storytelling methods into natural history museum programming and exhibition content affect visitor motivations to attend natural history museums?
3. How does incorporating theme park elements and storytelling methods into natural history museum programming and exhibition content affect visitor perceptions of natural history museums?

I wanted to reach out to the AAM community to request feedback and/or suggestions for relevant resources. I've also attached my work-in-progress so far in case anyone was curious. I really appreciate your input!

Thank you!
-Stephen

------------------------------
Stephen Drury
Security Supervisor
Florida Museum of Natural History - University of Florida
Gainesville FL
------------------------------