maybe I'll win from this survey, too?

Perhaps I'll win this time, too.

The survey I just filled out has a prize card as the lure for some number of respondents.

Telfair Museums are part of a larger group, with each having visitation rights for their members.

The survey asked for fifteen minutes of my time to tell them how museums fit my life.

I guess they don't realize how much I enjoy them, especially the Jepson.

Here's how it started off.

"On behalf of museums nationwide, including the one that asked you to take this survey, thank you for taking time to share your thoughts.

Results will be shared with your museum later this spring, and with the broader museum field beginning in late summer.

This survey is a joint research project between the American Alliance of Museums and hundreds of museums across the United States and Canada."

So, I carefully answered the many questions that asked me to rank this activity versus that one, this display against another, et cetera.

Then I came upon this query near the end.

"Think back to one or two learning experiences you have had that have stuck with you. Where the information shared was meaningful to you, or the learning experience was extremely effective.
We'd like to know more about one of those experiences, such as:
    Where did the experience take place? Was it in school, on your own, in a museum, or some other place?
    What happened during the experience? That is, was it primarily the imparting of facts/knowledge, did it tell a story, did you do something, or was it something else?
    What made the experience so effective or meaningful for you?
    And given your answer, what would you like museums to do better to create more of these experiences for you? "

What a wonderful, meaty, thought-provoking question!!!

Here's my reply: "I have had many such learning experiences, but I'll talk of one from my youth. The Savannah Science Museum was located in midtown, making it easy to access. I spent much time there, fascinated by all the exhibits, most of which were interactive and hands-on. That's very important to me, that tactile engagement with the exhibits. The most impressive was the exhibit which explained how levers and pulleys worked, with me able to pull on the rope and feel the science in action. I know the children in my life are most engaged when they can touch the materials in the exhibits, or take part in classes where they can create something like the art in the exhibits."

I'll look forward to discussing the survey results when they're compiled.

Perhaps Calli Landre will even invite me in for such a talk!

(smile!)