On March 2, Museology students facilitated hands-on activities at the Museum of Flight as part of the final project for the Seminar in Museum Education course. In the class, students explored learning theory, program development and implementation, and educational programming for various audiences such as families, teens, and early learners. Throughout the quarter, students researched, planned, and evaluated a variety of informal learning programs, with plenty of practical experience to lay the foundation for working as a museum educator.
The event was part of the museum’s First Thursday programming, when admission fees are waived and the museum is open into the evening. During this event, Museology students presented their education programs that addressed aeronautic topics. Students used this as an opportunity to interact with local families, practice facilitating programs, and to gather feedback about how visitors engaged with the activities.
The Museology program’s relationship with local institutions is an integral part of its curriculum and identity. By partnering with local museums, students are able to get hands-on experience and produce projects that directly impact their community. Instructor for the Museum education course (and Museology alum) Seth Margolis highlights the Museum of Flight’s relationship to the Museology program in the most recent issue of the Museum of Flight’s Aloft magazine. You can read his “Training Muses” article on page 17 of the March/April 2017 issue (Volume 39, Issue 2).
