Tweak, Tinker and Try:

Formative Evaluation of Graphics for

Oregon Zoo’s Predators of the Serengeti

Monica Post

MPR Museum Consulting

www.MPRconsultants.com

Fall 2006 Initial Contact and Preliminary Discussion

Fall 2007 Phase 1 Formative Evaluation

Fall 2008 Phase 2 Formative Evaluation

Fall 2009 Exhibit Opening and

Summative Evaluation

1st Draft

2nd Draft

Final2nd Draft

Moved to new sign

Final

Draft

Final

Draft

Final

D

1st draft

2nd Draft

added knob

Final

draft

Final

draft

2nd D

raft

1st draft

Final

1st

Final

2nd Draft

2nd D

raft

1st draft

1st d

raft

2nd D

raft

final

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draft

Fin

al

Final

How Do You Select the Elements to Test?

• have a complex or controversial message

• address a myth or misconception

• have an interactive feature (formative evaluation can identify potential interactive challenges, but usually can not address durability issues).

• use potentially unfamiliar words

Select elements that:

Best: The final exhibit location

• rarely possible due to construction

• early stages testing can be done closer to the exhibit designer as long as test participants fit visitor demographics

• later stages need to be conducted at the aquarium/zoo or at a venue within the region that matches aquarium/zoo visitor demographics. i.e. science center

Where Do You Test the Elements?

When Do You Begin Formative Testing?

Monica Post

MPR Museum Consulting 105 NE 64th Street

Des Moines, IA 50327

(515) 265-4837

www.MPRconsultants.com