With so many of the ExhibitFiles reviews and case studies focusing on computer-based exhibits (browse the tag: computer),  I thought there might be some interest in a survey we (Ideum) have developed on the subject.  We’re conducting the survey to better shape a project that we’re developing called Open Exhibits. We hope to find out just how museums are using computer-based exhibits.

One of the primary goals of Open Exhibits is to develop a suite of open source electronic exhibit templates which will be freely available to museums.  There’s more about Open Exhibits on the Ideum blog or you can go directly to the survey. We will share the results with everyone who completes the survey.

Here’s an opportunity that may be of interest to ExhibitFiles members, with a March 28 deadline for submission:

ASTC seeks to recognize small and large science centers and museums for recent and extraordinary accomplishments in exhibitions, education programs, technology applications, theater and film programming, visitor services, research and evaluation.

Winning visitor experiences must have achieved a tangible impact or lasting effect. The visitor experience must have been implemented by or for an ASTC science center or museum since January 2005.

Each award will consist of an etched glass “Edgie” presented during the ASTC Annual Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, plus a paid registration to the 2008 ASTC Annual Conference in Fort Worth, Texas.

New deadline is March 28, 2008. For details and nomination forms, visit www.astc.org/about/awards/leading_edge.htm

2007 Recipients
Clore Garden of Science – EcoSphere
MIDE - Museo Interactivo de Economía
OMSI – STARS Project

2006 Recipients
Hands On! Regional Museum – Eastman Discovery Lab
The Tech Museum of Innovation - TechTags

2005 Recipients
Denver Museum of Nature & Science – Space Odyssey
Omaha Children’s Museum – Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
Saint Louis Science Center – Taylor Community Science Resource Center

Contact: Diane Frendak, dfrendak@astc.org; 202/783-7200 x112.