Multi-Approach Activity Design and Effects Analysis for Science Museums: A Case Study of an Energy Saving and Carbon Reduction Workshop

• Published in: International journal of innovation in the digital economy Vol. 5; no. 2; pp. 55 - 64
• Main Authors: Tsai, Tung-Chung, Chu, Yao-Ming, Wu, Tsuey-Ling, Chang, Mei-Chen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: IGI Global 01.04.2014
• Subjects: Acceptance; Case studies; Conferences, meetings and seminars; Design analysis; Education; Energy conservation; Energy management systems; Energy use; Environmental impact; High schools; Museums; Science museums; Students; Workshops
• ISSN: 1947-8305; 1947-8313
• DOI: 10.4018/ijide.2014040106

Science museums not only function as collection, exhibition, research, and leisure locations, but are also important sites for education. Thus, science museums often organize various activities to educate the public and deliver various key concepts. Museums organize diverse activities, such as exhibitions, lectures, hands-on activities, tours, demonstrations, and drama. Subsequently, to highlight issues related to energy saving and carbon reduction (ESCR), the National Science and Technology Museum (NSTM) organized a 3-day workshop, recruiting 60 students from 2 high schools to participate in diverse promotional activities. For high school students, this diverse educational promotion method is seldom experienced in formal education; thus, presenting an extremely rare opportunity. For museums, designing activities specifically for high school students is also uncommon. Therefore, the effectiveness of using a high school-specific multi-approach activity design to promote education objectives has yet to be determined. This study analyzes the participants' level of acceptance and learning effectiveness regarding the various ESCR activities. Data were collected using questionnaire surveys, activity feedback, interviews, and observation records. Subsequently, these data were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed to determine the students' acceptance levels and learning effectiveness regarding the various activities.