"Parse" an educational game or museum experience. How does it work to support the Learning process?

The following museum, which I have visited in my State, is the EcoTarium. Our church organized a conference with activities included for conference participant’s children and I attended as a chaperone to the children. Our goal was for the children to have fun, but the children were actually having fun and at the same time experiencing hands-on and learning about nature in the indoor interactive and outdoor exhibits. There are a variety of educational games and interactive displays that support the learning process. The EcoTarium was founded in 1825 and they describe their missions as such: “Our Mission: To inspire a passion for science and nature. They further stated that ….in 1998 they refocused the museum on its roots in the natural sciences with a focus on hands-on exploration and discovery. The name change accompanied a major capital development program that has transformed the building and grounds into an accessible learning and discovery center for families.”[i]

The fees for an entire family to visit a museum are cost-prohibitive and thus creates barriers for children of families in lower income brackets. These barriers create barriers to access. A philanthropic organization Highland Street Foundation stepped in to support families and sponsored a summerlong event called “Free Fun Fridays” which pre-pandemic included every Friday and loads of museums all over the state with free admission.

Due to the pandemic, in 2021 a shorter program was put in place, until they can bring back Free Fun Fridays. [ii]

An exhibit of interest “The Arctic Next Door: Mount Washington” allows visitors to explore some of New England’s weather patterns and the geology of the White Mountains as shown in table 1[iii] Hurricane Simulator What does a hurricane feel like? Enter a phone-booth sized hurricane simulator to experience the sound and fury of category one hurricane-force winds. Virtual Visit Take a virtual trip up Mt. Washington as you “drive” up the auto road. Discover the unique conditions and different life zones found along the route, as you travel from familiar forests to arctic tundra.

Table 1 - Exhibit/ The Arctic Mount-Washington

Summary: The EcoTarium is a great demonstrable example of the learning theories mentioned in the lectures, which include: Self-directed Learning, Engagement, Interactivity and the role that technology plays as demonstrated in the Virtual Visit in table 1. Educators can bring their class on field trips to the EcoTarium and follow-up with self-directed activities and projects with the children in their classrooms. Exposing children to these experiences enriches their lives, and expands their knowledge of the world they live in.

[i]https://ecotarium.org/about-us/

[ii]https://www.highlandstreet.org/programs/community-events/august-adventures

[iii]https://ecotarium.org/exhibit/the-arctic-next-door-mount-washington/