Nanoscale Science Exhibits and Programs Public Impacts Summative Evaluation (2011)

As part of the overall summative evaluation of the first five years of the NISE Network, the Year 5 Exhibits and Programs Study examines the measurable impacts of these public products on museum visitors.

This evaluation study was designed to answer the broad question: What are the measurable impacts of NISE Net-produced exhibit and program deliverables on a public audience?

Key Findings:

• Exhibits and programs effectively engage visitors with nano content
• Visitors who see exhibits and programs show higher levels of nanoawareness
• Many visitors associate “nano” with small, even before seeing nano in the museum
• Exhibits and programs offer ways for visitors to deepen their nano knowledge
• Visitors find relevance in the exhibits and programs, and may find more ways to connect their everyday lives to nano when they encounter it in the future

Authors:

Marjorie Bequette, Gina Svarovsky, Kirsten Ellenbogen