Paleontology in Museums: Using Interactive "Discovery Labs" to Engage the Public in the Science of Paleontology

Museum of the Earth, a five-year-old education and exhibits facility at the Paleontological Research Institution (Ithaca, NY), provides three public spaces, called Discovery Labs, for the public to learn about and explore paleontology. The labs were created to offer a dynamic space in the Museum where visitors can have a unique learning experience with each Museum visit. The objectives of the labs are to increase awareness and interest in the fossils, how collections are used created, used, and cared for, and how to be involved in paleontological research. The three labs include: a Devonian-focused "Fossil Lab," consisting of trays of fossil-rich shale, from which visitors can find and take home their own fossils; a "Dino Lab," featuring primarily fossils of Mesozoic vertebrates and children's toys, books, and various paper activities; and the Quaternary "Ice Lab," containing sediment from a mastodon excavation, at which visitors can find and sort specimens to be added to PRI collections. Early evaluations indicated that the labs were a highlight of the visitor experience, but were not meeting their original objectives.

Over the past two years a team of Museum staff and volunteers have been working together to renovate and expand the labs. Fossil Lab now supports additional technology, e.g., a large screen monitor at which docents can display explanatory images and project digital microscope images, and which depicts lab use opportunities when docents are unavailable. Dino Lab now incorporates an electronic database of dinosaurs, more structured activities using real and cast specimens, and a play space appropriate for early learners. Ice Lab was transformed into a station on wheels at which a greater variety of hands-on activities can be accommodated. This work is supported by NSF GEO 0608062.