The document discusses the Ford Education Center at the National Postal Museum. The Center provides interactive touch screens that allow visitors to access digital museum content and collections. It was created in 2002 with funding from Ford and updated in 2007-2008 to better integrate the museum's website. The goals are to provide digital access onsite, bring postal and philatelic themes together, and connect the online and physical museum experiences. Features include interactive games and timelines to engage visitors.
3. • The Ford Education Center
consists of five new and
engaging interactive touch
screens on the National Postal
Museum’s floor.
• It allows visitors to access
museum content through varied
media and experiences and
provide a welcome environment
for them to take a break!
• Using the Ford Education Center
should also help visitors realize
the value and depth of our
website and onsite resources.
4. Overview
• Goals
• Brief History
• Mission
• Audiences
• Features
5. • Goals:
• To provide on-site access to the digitized museum
collection
• Create a space in the museum where
– postal & philatelic themes come together,
– and web-site & gallery experience come together
6. • Brief History
• 2002: the Ford Motor Company donated $1.5 to
NPM’s Education Department in part to create an
exhibition in the museum atrium
• 2003: Opening of the Ford Education Center
(version 1.0)
7. • May 2006: the National Postal Museum launched
Arago™, its new website
Arago is dedicated to providing on-line access to the vast
collections and treasures of the National Postal Museum. This
award-winning website is a gateway to treasures on display and
behind-the-scenes. www.arago.si.edu
• 2007-08: integrate Arago and the Ford Education
Center to better serve our museum visitors’ access
to digitized collections
8. Missions
• Reinforce the Museum experience
• A place where the museum comes together thematically
• Offers content through varied media & experience
• Provides a welcome environment, as a break during
museum exploration
• Facilitates visitor interaction between the galleries and the
Ford Education Center
• Encourages interaction within a group of visitors
• Use Arago to access the museums collections and digital
assets directly and through mediated interface
9. Missions
• Extend the Museum experience beyond visit
• Ensures that visitors recognize the Arago & web-site
Highlights extend to their homes & schools
• Engages a dialog with the visitors. Personalize the museum
experience.
10. Audiences
• Primary Audience
– Families
• Secondary Audience
– First time visitors
– Curious museum guests
– Other People Motivation
23. Time frame
July - Sept Nov - Jan - Mar - May - July - Sept
Aug - Oct Dec Feb Apr June Aug - Oct
07 07 07 08 08 08 08 08
Planning
Kick-Off
Executing
90%
Testing
Opening
24. Next Steps
Summative evaluation during spring
2009
Publish results from summative in the
summer-fall of 2009
25. Budget
• Our final budget was just under $200,000
• We went over on a couple of details
because NPM raised its demands on
contractor and accepted to go out of scope