University of Washington

The University of Washington's Museology Program will partner with the Woodland Park Zoo and the Learning in Informal and Formal Environments Center to develop a model of university-community collaboration where students work with client museums to evaluate exhibits and programs under the guidance of a research mentor. Students will gain experience in museum/exhibit research and evaluation, as well as in project management, collaboration, and leadership. Staff at participating museums will advance their personal knowledge about visitors and the field of museum evaluation. The project will prepare a new generation of evaluators and museum practitioners through an innovative apprentice-styled laboratory that integrates the strengths of mentoring, fieldwork, academics, and client-centered experiences. A publication with results of studies and samples of instruments will provide guidance to other museums.