MWH

 

Museum Exhibit

 

 

Overview

Now that you have researched an analyzed the historical roots of a modern day issue, you are in a position to evaluate what’s being done to address the issue and decide how to engage with the issue on a personal level. The museum project will give you the opportunity to delve more deeply into the outcomes of your topic and to communicate with the wider MA community regarding ways that we can be engaged as citizens of the world.

 

For this project, you will produce an interactive museum exhibit that will be displayed in the Old Gym. You will set up these projects BY 8:00 am on Monday, May 19, and you will be interviewed by a member of the MA community about your project during our class on that same day.

 

 

 

Steps of the Process

This is an overview of the major components of the Museum Exhibit. For a list of assignments related to the project, see the last page of the packet.

 

Research:

Using the databases, useful web sites, and books that you’ve found on your topic, investigate the impacts and outcomes of your research topic. Delve more deeply into the current issue and answer the following questions. You should have at least three good (reliable) sources that help you answer the questions. Realize that you may need more than this, though, in order to appropriately address these question …

·  What is the current status of your issue?

·  What is being done about it currently?

·  Who’s involved in addressing this issue? Governments? The UN? International aid organizations? Individuals?

·  How effective have these efforts been so far?

·  What opportunities exist for someone who is inspired by this topic to learn more and contribute to a useful effort to address the issue?

 

Museum Exhibit:

 

1) Content: your museum exhibit needs to communicate the following content

·      The Historical Context – this should give viewers an overview of your research paper

·      The Current Issue – what’s going on now?

·      Overview of what’s being done and how the MA community can get involved

 

2)    Format: there are many possible forms your exhibit could take. As you consider the options, keep the following parameters in mind

·      You will have half a table to work with – about 5 feet

·      You are responsible for obtaining any and all resources you need (you can not rely on the school to provide you with a projector or computer, for instance)

3)    Communication: you will need to think a lot about how to communicate effectively to people who don’t have much background on the topic. You will need to be very conscious about organization. Your exhibit should include the following properties:

·      Interactivity – encourage your audience to engage with your exhibit, question the audience, provide items that people can touch, hold, or move in order to learn more about the topic

·      Thoughtful Visual Design – think about “hooking” your audience (images, colors, fonts) as well as using visual aids to help your audience understand the topic (maps, timelines, causal chains, etc.). Your exhibit needs to be neat (as in, not sloppy!)

·      Balance between Visuals & Text – your exhibit needs to be informative, but not so overwhelming that it turns people away; text should be efficient and not too small; headings are particularly useful in helping the audience understand the exhibit

 

Interview:

As part of your project, you will have a 10-15 minute interview conducted by someone other than your teacher. You should be prepared to discuss aspects of your research, the design of your exhibit, and you should be prepared to discuss the relevance of your topic in 20^th century history and be ready to make connections to other events we have studied.

 

 

 

Criteria for Evaluation

 

n     Quality of Information.

o      Does the display convey the significance of your topic?

o      Does your exhibit present enough historical context to introduce your topic for viewers?

o      Does your exhibit communicate the current status of your topic as well as the ways in which it is (or isn’t?) being addressed?

o      Does your exhibit communicate clear and meaningful ways for the members of the MA community to engage with or take action regarding your topic?

o      Is the information accurate? Thorough enough?

 

n     Effectiveness of Design.

o      Does the display reflect careful thought during the design process –is the organization purposeful – are things where they are for a reason?

o      Does the display “tell a story” – does it get its main points across clearly and in a well-organized way?

o      Is there an appropriate balance between visuals and text?

o      Are there enough features – including interactive ones – to engage and keep the viewer’s interest?

o      Are appropriate color schemes, fonts, and other design elements used effectively?

 

n     Neatness and Presentation.

o      Is the display absolutely free of spelling and grammatical errors?

o      Is the display neatly presented – i.e. straight edges on cuts, fully typed, text well centered (unless off kilter as part of the design) – and well put together?

 

n     Interview.

o      Can you explain all aspects of your research? Discuss your thesis and the importance of your topic thoroughly?

o      Can you explain the elements of your display design?

o      Can you make connections between your topic and others we have studied – can you situate it within the wider scope of 20^th Century history?

Project Timeline

 

In Class                                                                       Homework (for next class)

5/5 Monday   1) Identify Museum Exhibit expectations and timeline. 2) Research	Continue your research – you should have some research notes that help you answer the questions you need to answer for your Museum Exhibit by next class.
5/7 Wednesday   1) Continue Research	Finish research needed to answer the museum project questions. You should have notes from all of your sources (at least three!) to show me by next class. You should also write up a brief summary of your answers to the five museum questions.
5/9 Friday DUE: Notes from at least three sources to answer all museum questions.   1) Exhibit ideas, options, examples 2) Group Brainstorms – Exhibit	1) Write up a brief (1 page or less!) proposal for your exhibition design. Include your format and ideas about visual representations. How will your organize the content of the exhibit? Also include your ideas for making the exhibit interactive. Include a sketch of what your exhibit might look like. 2) Begin working on your exhibit. See the exhibit steps and the list of expectations for details and guidance.
5/13 Tuesday   1) Exhibit feedback, workshop	1) Create Exhibit – you must bring the exhibit to school on Monday, 5/19. You must have your exhibit set up by 8 am in the Old Gym. You need to give yourself enough time – I will not provide excused late passes to your A block classes.
5/15 Thursday 1) Interview Workshop	1) Prepare for the interview. Come to school looking “professional”. This is one of the few opportunities at MA that you’ll have to publicly present your academic work. Seize it! 2) Take care of any finishing touches to your exhibit.
5/19 Monday Set up your exhibit in the Old Gym BEFORE 8 am. Do not leave valuables in the Old Gym.   Be prepared for your interview, as well as to engage with at least 3 other exhibits.   Celebrate your success at the Museum Open House from 5:30 – 7:30 pm on Tuesday. Parents and members of the MA community will attend (and there will be snacks!).	1) Interview process reflections. Type up your reflections on the following questions (due Wednesday): Identify who did your interview What do you think went well in your interview? What would you like to have changed or added to your interview? What was the most challenging part of the interview? What would you recommend to next years’ sophomores about how to approach the Museum Project and Interview?