ERIC Number: EJ1128172
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1059-8650
EISSN: N/A
Exploring the Intersections of Science and History Learning
Hughes, Catherine; Cosbey, Allison
Journal of Museum Education, v41 n3 p174-184 2016
How can history museums incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) activities while preserving their missions and identities? How do interdisciplinary experiences lead to learning? A cross-institutional exhibit development and evaluation team wrestled with these ideas as they developed "Create.Connect," an National Science Foundation-funded exhibition at Conner Prairie designed to weave together historical narrative and STEM activity. The goal was to create a truly interdisciplinary experience, where history and STEM learning would not just exist side-by-side, but interact in ways that might spark new interest or deeper learning. While visitors to Conner Prairie accepted, enjoyed and valued the "Create.Connect" experience, and families explored both history and STEM during their visit, conceptualizing and defining "integrated" history and STEM learning proved challenging for both exhibit developers and evaluators. What emerged were several definitions and levels of integration and a nascent understanding of the complexity of learning in interdisciplinary exhibitions.
Descriptors: Museums, Nonschool Educational Programs, Historic Sites, STEM Education, Interdisciplinary Approach, Exhibits, History Instruction, Formative Evaluation, Summative Evaluation, Discussion, Historical Interpretation, Family (Sociological Unit), Program Evaluation
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF); Institute of Museum and Library Services
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Indiana; Minnesota
Grant or Contract Numbers: 1223770