InformalLearning The Informal Learning Review - No. 97. July - August 2009 tables and supplies like easels, foam core COSI'S EXPERIENCE boards, etc. may be used. CONTENTS TESTING STATION While certainly not the first "fishbowl" type of area Risk & Reality Rita Deedrick used by a science center or other informal learn- ing environment to test experiences, the COSI Colloquium Intro What is the COSI Experience Testing Station? ETS is unique in its mobility and flexibility, and it Page 12 represents an important shift in thinking at COSI The COSI Experience Testing Station (ETS) is a vis- about how to develop experiences and what con- ible area within (and sometimes outside) the stitutes a visitor experience. Risk for a Reason COSI science center that makes explicit the "sci- Page 14 ence behind the science" of COSI by testing con- Why is the Experience Testing Station important cepts, language, signs, activities, and other ele- to COSI? ments of visitor experiences directly and visibly Exhibits as with COSI visitors. As much a concept as a phys- Real data/intended audiences. First, the COSI an Environment ical space, the COSI ETS is mobile and can be ETS enables COSI to use data to inform experi- moved anywhere on or off-site and sized to meet ence development in a way that has rarely been for Risk the need of a particular test. The physical materi- done before. COSI has a long history of devel- Page 15 als are simple: two signs; a sign holder; rope oping and presenting programs and exhibits. stanchions to demarcate the space to fit the need However, the use of data gathered directly from of the test; one or two small "cabaret" type tables visitors (or potential visitors) to inform develop- A Perspective to hold supplies; and a 4" x 6" whiteboard on ment has been sporadic and always "behind wheels (this large piece, while easy to move closed doors," detached from the notion of a About Risk around the COSI facility, does not travel for off- COSI visit experience. This prevailing philosophy Page 16 site tests). Depending on the test, additional See “COSI,” continued on page 2 "Museum Fatigue" the Persians in 480 BC. The symbolism is power- Page 18 THE NEW ACROPOLIS ful, as the current Parthenon includes foundation MUSEUM - GREECE blocks of the ruined original temple to Athens' patron goddess, reminding Athenians of the dark Outcome of CELEBRATES events of their past as well as their architectural Expanding and cultural triumphs. Robert Mac West and Jean S. West Informal Science There has been a formal museum atop the After many years of planning, disputes and law- for Latinos Acropolis, adjacent to the Parthenon, the Temple of suits, and unanticipated archeological discoveries, Athena, since 1865. This was a modest facility, Page 22 the new Acropolis Museum opened in Athens, some 15,500 square feet, with approximately 450 Greece, on June 20, 2009. We had the delightful objects on display. The 19th century building lacked opportunity to visit it on August 28, 2009 – ten even elementary environmental controls and was Actual Call weeks and 523,540 visitors after the opening. Center tired when Jean first visited it in 1973. It was even more so when we both toured it in 2000. Conversation This commentary includes a discussion of the his- tory and setting of this extraordinarily important The replacement is a totally different story. It is Page 27 museum, a walk-through with our comments and located at the southern base of the Acropolis, observations, and a series of thoughts about some thousand feet from the Parthenon but the issues within and provoked by the new museum. More on temple remains in full view. It is some ten times larger, displays over 4,000 artifacts, is fully environ- The Acropolis itself, rising to 500 feet above the Responses to the mentally controlled, and the exhibits are bathed in city of Athens, has been the site of significant Recession natural light. While some of the objects are well- public buildings central to the religious and politi- known (such as the pediment of the Archaic Page 28 cal life of Greece since Neolithic times. The cur- Parthenon, various of the Parthenon friezes, the rent array of structures was begun in the 5th cen- tury BC as replacements for those destroyed by See “Acropolis,” continued on page 5 A PUBLICATION OF INFORMAL LEARNING EXPERIENCES, INC. COPYRIGHT 2009 INFORMAL LEARNING EXPERIENCES, INC. THE INFORMAL LEARNING REVIEW, July - Aug., 2009 “COSI,” continued from front cover stantly reminded of the importance of development process. These comments data collection and analysis to inform all came from both members and non- of experience development has been of our work. Indeed, many staff mem- members of COSI, and are a key to likened to an artist who does not want the bers stop by the ETS during tests to see COSI's continuing quest to deepen rela- piece revealed before it is finished - a so- what's going on. Whenever possible, tionships with people in our community. called "white veil" approach to experience researchers take the time to chat with staff For example, a non-member who partici- development. Certainly many organiza- members and always invite them to stay pates in an ETS may consider becoming tions such as Disney use this approach to and watch. a member of COSI because they now their advantage. But the drama and feel vested in the organization; a COSI excitement that can be generated from A new kind of visitor experience. A third member may upgrade their membership such an approach comes at the cost of reason that the ETS is important to COSI because they feel involved in improving leaving the audience out of the develop- is a shift in attitude about what constitutes experiences. We have no evidence that ment process and the risk of developing a "visitor experience." That is to say, the this has taken place, but it is clear that experiences that may, in fact, not be the ETS itself is now recognized as a legiti- most people feel "involved" in COSI from best they can be for the intended audi- mate visitor experience. This resulted having participated in an ETS test. ences. It can be argued that not-for-profit from initial pushback by the COSI staff organizations have an obligation to on the ETS being disruptive involve their publics in the development to the visitor experience process, and that "artist's privilege" has no and not "attractive" enough place in an organization whose mission is to be on the exhibit floor - to serve its constituents. a distraction rather than an attraction. The team The COSI ETS makes input from the pub- members testing the ETS lic - real data - easily available to COSI took these comments to program and exhibit developers. With heart, knowing that the help of in-house researchers, tests can addressing these satisfac- often be planned, implemented, and torily was the only path to documented within several days. ETS leaving the "white veil" phi- tests are designed to be quick-turn; a losophy behind. To that small amount of data can be a great end, effort is made to pre- help in informing decisions at important sent the ETS as an experi- milestones in a project. ETS is relatively ence in and of itself. For inexpensive, fast, and accessible - though COSI staff instruct visitors on activity to test ideas for global example, COSI had signs warming exhibit. not completely free of costs, a notion (a 22" x 28" that fits into a which will be addressed later. Great standard, stand-alone sign holder, and a Better experiences are created. The pri- effort has been made at COSI to make 1" x 6" permanently attached to the top of mary reason for conducting tests on any the ETS "painless" for experience develop- the whiteboard) professionally designed experience element is to ultimately devel- ers so that they may see visitor studies and produced and these are always pre- op "better" experiences. "Better," of through the ETS as a regular part of the sent to clearly identify this experience. course, is subjective and implies a need development process. These signs and their design are in effect for improvement - how does one really becoming a sub-brand within COSI to know what is "better?" The ETS at COSI Awareness of visitor studies. Another rea- represent this particular experience. provides a platform to systematically son the ETS has become so important to Thought has been given to other staff gather data to inform decisions - "better" COSI is that the COSI staff at all levels of suggestions such as costumes (e.g., a lab becomes clearer through data. the organization have new awareness of coat with our sub-brand graphic) and the role of visitor studies in general - and even a mascot (the latter is somewhat in A case in point was a test of language for data in particular - in experience develop- jest, but has not been completely ruled signs to be placed in COSI restrooms ment and implementation. Because the out). (yes, restrooms can be "experiences"). ETS is highly visible to the staff as well as The primary purpose of these signs was the public, and because COSI invited Participating = relationship development. to explain why COSI no longer provides input into the evaluation of the ETS pilot A fourth reason why the ETS is important paper towels and the secondary mes- from all staff, the staff is fully aware of the to COSI comes from data gathered dur- sages were COSI's sustainability stand ETS and for the most part sees its value to ing the pilot of the ETS.