The judges said:
An exemplary use of new technology, Current Science & Technology Podcast is easy to navigate and as one judge said, "super-engaging." With a
very clean interface, quick uploading, and great sound production quality, it expands both the museum's ability to engage its audience and the topics it can address.
The topics are well-matched to the audio medium and delivered in a way that is broadly accessible and charming. The podcasts allow in-depth discussion between museum
staff and guest scientists that could not be addressed better in other media, such as exhibits. Some judges likened it to reports on current issues or on
"pleasantly unusual topics" on National Public Radio. Non-scientist judges were pleased with the podcasts' accessibility, and some had curiosity enough
to subscribe to it. One judge mentioned the effectiveness and appeal of the podcast host. Overall, the jury found this to stand above the rest of the MUSE education
and outreach entries because of its excellent use of content and format, the latter specifically being the appropriate use of technology—and technology that
functions well.
The producers said:
The Current Science & Technology Podcast is a weekly science news podcast produced by Current Science & Technology at the Museum of Science, Boston. We began
podcasting in August of 2005, and, to date, we have produced over 90 episodes reaching thousands of listeners per week.
Through interviews with guest scientists and museum staff, we bring cutting edge research to the public in an unbiased, trusted, and informative audio program. In
addition to highlighting ongoing research, we cover many top science stories as the news breaks. A prime example of this was our coverage of the demotion of Pluto:
Dr. Owen Gingerich, Chair of the Planetary Definition Committee of the International Astronomical Union, was a guest on our podcast just hours after the vote took
place in Prague. This speed is a result of hardworking staff and the inherent flexibility of the podcast format.
Podcasting is popular among the young adult and minority audiences we are trying to reach. It is growing tremendously among all demographics, and because of this, we
are proud to be one of the first museums to adopt this powerful outreach tool.
DVD/CD-ROM
The judges said:
Opening Doors to Great Guest Experiences DVD/CDRom represents a new and successful approach in sharing and demonstrating best practices among museums. As
one judge described, "It's an amazing compilation and demonstration of museum education philosophy, theory, and practice. It's apparent that Conner Prairie has
invested time and money into providing valuable museum experiences for audiences." With excellent production values, many judges appreciated the different
activities on the CD-ROM and the demonstrations and discussions on the DVD. Judges found this multiple learning approach effective and happily an example of
"practicing what you preach" in training front-line staff. Of great value is the self-reflection encouraged for educators, interpreters, docents,
visitors' services, to consider free-choice learning, museum goals, achievements, and success of audience engagement. Overall, this behind-the-scenes look at how
to make museums matter is comprehensive and inspiring.
The producers said:
The Opening Doors to Great Guest Experiences © DVD/CD-ROM is a first-of-its-kind training tool for museums and other free-choice learning venues
designed to help front-line staff and volunteers actively engage guests in learning through conversation. Using the voices of guests, learning experts, and museum
staff and volunteers, this practical resource emphasizes the increase in guest learning which results when we put guests at the center of our museum experiences.
This resource shares the story of that process of change at Conner Prairie Museum, as revealed through a series of groundbreaking learning studies conducted there.
The practical nature of the Opening Doors © resource has made it a quick success both nationally and internationally; in its first six weeks of availability,
this tool shipped to over 500 individuals and institutions in almost every state and 6 countries. Conner Prairie worked with Creative Street Media Group to create
this resource. Special thanks to Dave Allison, Ken Bubp, Vinona Christensen, Tim Crumrin, Dan Freas, Jane Hetrick, Aili McGill, Ellen Rosenthal, Mary Theresa Seig
(Ball State University), Elaine Selmier (Creative Street), Nancy Stark, and Dale Tomasi who all contributed their significant expertise and talents in the
development of this project. Trademark is pending.
Interactive DVD
The judges said:
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage: Men and Women of the Underground Railroad in the Indiana and Kentucky Borderland created by the Carnegie Center
for Art and History is "a beautiful and moving presentation that heightens understanding of a portion of the Underground Railroad." Judges found the DVD
very engaging and full of deep, rich content, offering viewers a slightly different perspective to gain new understanding of the complexity of the issues surrounding
the Underground Railroad. The technology was user-friendly and enabled the delivery of a powerful narrative. The production quality was very high using photographs,
historical documents, drawings, voiceover, and reenactments in an impressive and aesthetically pleasing manner. Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage
brings artifacts, art, and history to life through a medium that works very well.
The producers said:
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage: Men and Women of the Underground Railroad in the Indiana and Kentucky Borderland, a unique interactive learning
experience, produced by Solid Light, Inc. for the Carnegie Center for Art and History in New Albany, Indiana, highlights the prevailing effects of the Underground
Railroad by concentrating on its local reverberations. For elementary school to senior audiences, the program enhances awareness of the deep political and ideological
divisions experienced throughout the Ohio River Valley as a result of slavery. Focusing on the individuals—barbers, ferryboat men, ministers, freed
people—who risked their lives, welfare, and freedom, to help runaways, the project illustrates the individual acts of resistance against the institution of
slavery. By humanizing this story and bringing a central facet of local history to life, the project serves as a springboard for discussion and a multitude of
educational outreach programs. The portable nature of the project facilitates incorporation into various educational environments. Navigational segmentation
enables many choices for viewing, based on subject matter and available time. Since its production, the presentation has significantly increased visitation
and sparked numerous local and regional educational initiatives, integrating the DVD interactive into curriculum development and community programs.
The judges said:
Remember the Ladies is a high-tech electronic field trip back to the age of early America. Designed for elementary and middle-school youth, the content
effectively engages with students' contemporary lives. As one judge commented, "The story in the videos is interesting, the video questions are particularly
interesting to students today, and the interactives are really thought-provoking and challenging. I especially like the adjustment to my earnings in the timeline
challenge!" With very high production quality, this electronic field trip deserves honorable mention for addressing history in a colorful, active, entertaining,
and meaningful way.
The producers said:
The Remember the Ladies Electronic Field Trip is an interactive classroom program that is composed of a live, nationally televised hour long story of the
lives of women and girls in the 1700's. Electronic Field Trips introduce student's 4th-8th grades nationwide to the compelling stories of ordinary people who
created America. This program explores women's lives in the 18th century through the daily activities of Mrs. Jane Vobe, a keeper of the "King's Arms
Tavern" in Williamsburg, and her goddaughter Diana. Web-based resources and teacher-developed activities model successful classroom strategies and include
instructional materials and educational resources for teachers. Additionally, primary sources, web adventures, e-mail and discussion forums encourage students
to interact with historians, experts, teachers and one another to debate and discuss the past and how it affects the future.
