Design Principles
In coordination with the learning goals that provide the foundation for all of the experiences and environments associated with the spot...a Child’s Museum, several content areas offer the inspiration and structure to serve as the avenue to learning. These content areas were developed through discussion of the needs of children and of the community.
Primarily, the spot...a Child’s Museum tackles the topics of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and the Fine Arts (visual and performing) while embedding the history and culture of the area. These content areas are presented throughout the museum and overlap each other in the building’s major environments. Just as much emphasis is given to developing the connections between these subjects as to the details of each area.
These three major content points (STEM, Arts, History) were inspired by the rich diversity of the Prescott and Northern Arizona area. The Prescott community is a center of scientific work in a number of fields, including aeronautics, physical science, environmental science, and educational services. The area also has a long and varied history that remains alive today in examples such as Whiskey Row, The Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe, The Sharlot Hall Museum, and The Phippen Museum. Additionally, the Prescott area has a vibrant world-class community of artist who work with a variety of media.
The visitor is an essential ingredient of the spot. The visitor provides the impetus for the content, the purpose for the exhibits, and the ultimate measure of success in every aspect of this museum. The visitor is the final decision-maker of the happenings in the spot experiences.
The Twelve Principles of Exhibit Experience Development:
- Respect
- Honesty
- Fair Play
- Empathy
- Creativity
- Expression
- Acceptance
- Imagination
- Cooperation
- Investigation
- Communication
- Experimentation
Our latest and greatest exhibit turns kids into architects, gearheads, civil engineers and artists. Get your hands on some science, get quizzical and have fun!
The youngest Museum goers will love exploring the Tot Spot, our current exhibit for toddlers and preschoolers. Make music, play simple games, and develop gross and fine motor skills in this central, safe exhibit designed specifically for "spotologists" ages 3 and under.
The Art Experience honors the Museum's core belief in environmental stewardship. With a combination of art and science activities, the museum provides opportunities for children to be creative and use their personal talents to invent, engineer and innovate.
This exhibit is under development and will soon be available in the Museum. In our Old West exhibit, a child will use their sense of wonder to become a spotologist! An amazing learning experience, a child may act and think as a real scientist does!
Check out this photo gallery of the progress that has been made in our Prescott Gateway Mall "spot!" From an empty space in summer 2009, to three robust, rotating exhibits in 2010, and to our current Quantum Quizzics exhibit - we've come a long way already.
Primarily, the spot...a Child's Museum tackles the topics of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). These content areas are presented throughout the museum and overlap each other in the building's major environments. See what principles guide our exhibit design and event programming.
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