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ALTERED STATE Climate Change exhibition. Aaron Pope Manager of Sustainability Programs. Altered State. A long-term Academy commitment to exploring climate change Budget: $1.8 million Size: 10,000 square feet Opened: September, 2008. Research Study.
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ALTERED STATEClimate Change exhibition Aaron PopeManager of Sustainability Programs
Altered State A long-term Academy commitment to exploring climate change Budget: $1.8 million Size: 10,000 square feet Opened: September, 2008
Research Study Prior to final design, IMPACT conducted a research survey: • 4,000 people, representing the Academy demographic • Respondents asked detailed questions about the role of the Academy and other institutions in terms of: • Environmental stewardship • Climate change education
Survey Results – the good news • The science of climate change is clear, and that it was an important issue:
Survey Results – the good news • Individuals can have a big impact:
Survey Results – the good news • The Academy was a trusted institution:
Survey Results – the bad news • Far away in time and place:
Survey Results – more bad news • We have plenty of time to solve climate change • It would be considered a less important topic in 5 years • People were willing to make small changes in their own lives to respond to climate change… • but thought their neighbors should take stronger measures
Survey integration – impact modules • Focus less on causes, more on impacts and solutions • Hit hard and hit home Four, free-standing impact modules: • Changing oceans • Melting snow & ice • Hotter and dryer areas • Extinctions • Climate change impacts, globally and locally • Mitigation and adaption strategies
Survey integration – interactives Two empowering messages: • Millions are people are involved worldwide • Academy visitors can join these efforts and make a difference Golden Rules: • Visitors want to join their peers • Visitors need to feel they have a real impact • Visitor efforts need to seem easy and manageable • Visitors need “a pat on the back” • Visitors are motivated to protect themselves, their families and their communities
Evaluation results • Conducted by Randi Korn & Associates: • Observation data and interviews • The exhibit succeeds in generating discussion about climate change • The overall tone of the exhibit is good: Visitors understand it is a daunting issue but are able to cite examples of solutions • The exhibition appeals equally to all ages • The interactive elements are the most popular part of the exhibit and text panels the least popular • The combination of museum specimens, videos and interactives are an important part of the learning process for many visitors
Future improvements • The exhibit needs an intro section with a clear, main message • Less text panels, more interactives • New section on the scientific consensus on climate change • More collaboration with other museums, NGO’s, government agencies, etc. • An evaluation of long-term behavior change impacts