Programs sometimes appear

Posted on March 18, 2013 by admin

While staffing a touchtable with artifacts, models and supporting images/printed information, I watched as a child created an activity I had never thought of.

He took the models and matched them to their corresponding illustrations by picking them up physically moving them in place. Here is the image of ancient sea animals. Notice the four plastic models above the book.

book open to show illustrations photo source : Lorie Pierce

Here is the book with the models in place. There was more that one illustration of each animal so there were different spots the child could choose to locate the model.

book with animals placed to match illustration photo source : Lorie Pierce

It’s a simple activity that requires the child to look closely at the shape of the animal to make the match. Since they are holding the model, they benefit also from the kinesthetic sense. While they hunted for the images, I was able to tell them about the animals. If more then one child was present, they shared the activity and took turns picking an animal to match.

It worked well in a high traffic atmosphere such as our Spring Break programming.

what I did this week – anomalocaris, trilobite, dragon, angler fish

Posted on February 3, 2013 by admin

I am drawn to models as adjuncts to museum programming. They can help explain during interpretation plus inspire and generally make a session more memorable. Plastic dinosaur models are my mainstay. I am rarely without one nearby. But they can be expensive and sometimes not really very good representations of the animals. Clay modelling is intriguing but can be messy and presents the challenge of where to put them while they dry. Plus different clays present varying results.

The medium I am most involved in now due to its simplicity and affordability is paper modelling. Here are 4 creations I have made in the past week just by downloading files free off the Internet, printing them out, cutting and pasting.

clockwise from left : angler fish, anomalocaris, dragon, trilobite photo source : Lorie Pierce

Working with paper has its challenges. Flat models (anomalocaris and trilobite) are easier than shaped ones. There are fewer steps and the precision of gluing is not as critical as with the shaped models (dragon and angler fish).

I learned to not rush the gluing. Do one join at a time and use tweezers to apply pressure. Make sure the seams line up. You can see in this photo that a side seam on the dragon is not glued into the exact location.

side seam gapes a bit at base of neck photo source : Lorie Pierce

The more often I work with paper, the more I get the feel for it. All these models were printed on cardstock (64 lb) weight.

Now for some close-ups:

anomalocaris on stand photo source : Lorie Pierce

underside of anomalocaris photo source : Lorie Pierce

angler fish photo source : Lorie Pierce

underside of angler fish photo source : Lorie Pierce

trilobite photo source : Lorie Pierce

details of trilobite legs and gills photo source : Lorie Pierce

dragon from rear (a bit out of focus) photo source : Lorie Pierce

Many of the most unique papercraft patterns come from Japan and their instructions are written in Japanese. An addition challenge of these models is to understand from the illustrations, how one is supposed to proceed.

instructions in Japanese photo source : Lorie Pierce

Anyone who has put together a purchase from IKEA will have a head start.

Enter Giganotosaurus

Posted on August 6, 2012 by admin

I try to include models in all the programs I develop. But when it comes to introducing the latest dinosaur finds, I found that all the plastic models I had were dinosaurs from the northern hemisphere (Laurasia). More of the same dinos that kids already know (and love).

I happened to be killing some time browsing in shops on the weekend and I spotted a display of Schleich dinosaur models. One in particular caught my eye as it appeared to be a new version of T-Rex. On closer inspection I noticed the three fingered forearms and the central skull ridge. Could it be Giganotosaurus, the terror of Patagonia in the mid-Cretaceous?

Giganotosaurus model photo source: Lorie Pierce

It’s hard to find the name on these figures. They are molded on the bottom and I needed a sales person’s help to verify. Giganotosaurus it was!

So now I am possession of at least one Gondwanan dinosaur. I will also take a Spinosaurus model to the event. It’s not in the new exhibit….its cousin Suchomimus is. But Spinosaurus is also from Gondwana – Africa this time.

Hopefully other models will appear soon of the amazing dinosaurs from Gondwana.

UPDATE : I had a chance to show this model to a paleontologist/teacher who made the following comments: To represent Giganotosaurus more faithfully, the head should be a longer and it is not known if there is actually a ridge down the mid-skull and back. That would be due to epidermal (skin) features which have not been preserved in this animal.

Knitted models – nautiloids

Posted on July 20, 2012 by admin

Models can be very useful in museum programming and education. I have previously discussed the use of LEGO and in this post I will be considering models made from fibre crafts such as knitting.

The unique feature of soft knitted models is their flexibility. This is especially useful in the case of the knitted ammonite that may be shown curled or straight.

alternate knitted versions of ammonite photo source: knitty.com artist : Beth Skwarecki

Find the free pattern at http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/PATTnautie.html

In my experience though, I find that I have to hunt to locate patterns that result in models that are realistic and not too cartoon-like. However, there are some excellent resources out there to assist.

A website that is devoted to access to quality knit patterns is www.ravelry.com

Although it is free to use, you must sign up. Then you will find a trove of patterns that are either free or at a nominal charge. Just search for the type of pattern you are looking for.

In addition, the public library may have knitting books or magazines that include patterns suitable for model making. I also keep my eye on Amazon, Indigo and other book sellers, particularity for any craft books by Lark Publications.

Knit models are soft, colourful and just the right size for children to hold.

It’s a styrofoam world

Posted on July 6, 2012 by admin

Plate tectonics features heavily in the museum’s new exhibit about southern hemisphere dinosaurs. With the help of a few pieces of styrofoam left over from other projects, and a template from the USGS, the southern continents are now handy jigsaw puzzle pieces to push together (for Pangea) or pull apart (for the modern world)

Wording from the USGS website:

Although Alfred Wegener was not the first to suggest that continents have moved about the Earth, his presentation of carefully compiled evidence for continental drift inspired decades of scientific debate. Wegener’s evidence, in concert with compelling evidence provided by post World War II technology, eventually led to universal acceptance of the theory of Plate Tectonics in the scientific community.

source for puzzle and lesson plans:

http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/about/edu/dynamicplanet/wegener/index.php

start with some scrap pieces of styrofoam and a serrated steak knife photo source: Lorie Pierce

strofoam pieces with paper continents on top

add the continents - next step is colouring the lifeforms for easy matching photo source: Lorie Pierce

The USGS website also provides information sheets on the lifeforms shown on the continents, a key to the puzzle and an outline children can use to prompt how the pieces fit together.

At the Ultimate Dinosaur event, children will be able to manipulate these pieces while learning about Pangea and then take their own copy of the puzzle pieces home to colour and cut out.

Simulating animal behaviour

Posted on June 22, 2012 by admin

Looking forward to the Awesome Animals mini-museum planned for late October, I’ve started to think of how to show to demonstrate unique aspects of animal behaviour.

Fortunately, there was a sale on Hex Bug habitats and I scooped one up to investigate how it could be used to show insect locomotion. But once it was set up and I had three Nano bugs frantically zooming down the pathways, it came to me that this would be a great model to show communication within a bee hive.

Hex bug habitat set up to emulate a bee hive photo source : Lorie Pierce

The kit came with two bugs but at least three are needed to show the three types of bees in a colony – worker, drone and queen. You see in this picture a worker bee returning from the outdoors to re-enter the hive. The queen bee and drones are collected in the innermost cell of the hive.

During our event, we will use several bees marked for their specific function. Children can turn them on and see how they communicate within the hive. Supporting graphic and print material will explain the complex and mysterious language of bees while connecting the children back to the live bee colony in the Hands-on Gallery at the museum.

At least, that’s the current plan.

Meanwhile, my spouse and I will test the beehive model at home, much to the surprise and curiosity of our three cats.

The use of LEGO in museum programs – yeah or nay?

Posted on May 30, 2012 by admin

LEGO….seriously ?

As I set about looking for models to supplement museum program activities, the idea of using LEGO came to me. I didn’t have to go far to bring it to mind as half finished pieces pop up around my house on a regular basis. My spouse is a keen builder and I have several kits under my belt.

As engaging as most of the LEGO themes are, they do not impart the sense of accuracy that one would require in museum-based programming. Take for example the bazooka toting theropod wrangler in the latest Dinosaur series.

photo source : LEGO.ca

But the draw of kids to LEGO is a strong one. Those coloured little bricks captivate them. And I have seen shy children, initially apprehensive at joining museum activities, connect immediately when a LEGO model is in view.

For the record, I am not talking about the activity of LEGO construction at this point (although I have seen this done with pyramid building with great success). Rather, I am discussing here the use of already constructed LEGO models as a featured talking point in theme programming.

For a recent Ancient Egypt program, I used the central portion of the Ramses Pyramid game to represent the Step Pyramid of Djoser – the first stone pyramid ever constructed.

And for the Medieval Europe event, the LEGO Kingdom’s Blacksmith Attack will be used to illustrate the blacksmith’s forge and armour construction. It has a movable waterwheel and anvil.

The premise of this product is this scenario (taken from LEGO promotion) :

“Help! The village is under attack and the evil Dragon Knight is trying to take weapons from the blacksmith’s workshop. Can the brave blacksmith stop him from stealing them?”

Of course, arm to arm combat between blacksmith and knight is not the type of learning situation we want to incorporate in our event. So we will edit out the ‘attack’ mode of the model and promote the close relationship there was between a blacksmith and a knight. After all, it could take up to one year to create a suit of armour, many fittings to tailor it to the individual and a whack of money to pay for it. That’s a more compelling story.

So should you use LEGO?

I would recommend it. Here’s how.

Take a look at all the products and see if there is enough in each kit to be able to use as a model to complement your theme.

Build the model as the kit recommends then take a good look at it in its 3D format. You may see it differently from what you imagined from the box photo. (note : some LEGO stores have pre-built models on display and some images on the website can be seen from several views)
Edit. Take away any extraneous parts of the model or game, leaving only what clearly supports your program theme.
Consider gluing some of the smaller pieces together so they do not walk away during your program. However, having some small parts that move or come open (eg. taking the top off the pyramid to look inside) can add to the interaction.

Have fun with LEGO. It’s a crowd-pleaser.

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