What did we do?

For the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, we developed front-end interpretive plans for eight galleries as part of the redesign of the East End of the museum (to be completed in 2024).We led interpretive planning charettes for eight separate teams of educators, curators, designers, and scientists. Design specs, recommendations, and questions that emerged from that process informed the next phase of development.

 

What did we do?

For the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, we collaborated with an in-house team of exhibit designers and developers and external teams of architects and designers to produce four exhibits, including Robot Revolution and The Glass Experience. (The other two exhibits have not opened and are confidential.) We co-created pedagogical and interpretive frameworks, collaborated on narrative development and experience design, and aligned experiences with learning objectives and outcomes.

For a separate engagement, we developed the design brief for GoReact, the Museum-produced app that complemented the Periodic Table interactive in the Science Storms exhibit.

What did we do?

For Historic Wagner Farm, we collaborated with Luci Creative on interpretive and concept planning for Silo, an exhibit placed inside of (and around) a historic, two-story silo. The objective was to create an experience that would engage visitors intuitively, simply, and memorably. We shared the story and significance of silos in panels and offered multisensory, playful moments for visitors to transport themselves to another time and place.

What did we do?

For the Chicago Botanic Garden, we led the front-end concepting and interpretive planning for two different initiatives:  Bees and Beyond, a suite of experiences celebrating pollinators, and Picturing the Prairie (forthcoming). For both initiatives, we collaborated with an interdisciplinary team of educators, designers, and horticulturalists to develop a “Big Idea” and narrative theme, as well as visitor personas.

We are currently collaborating on creative concepting for the Garden’s 50th Anniversary celebration, which will take place in 2022.

What did we do?

For the Chicago Architecture Center, we conducted remedial evaluation on select galleries in the new Center. We utilized observation and survey methodologies to assess the visitor experience.

Research-based recommendations informed new directions for content and design.

 

What did we do?

For the Minnesota Children’s Museum, we developed a strategic plan for education programming. We conducted benchmark research, interviewed in-house executives and educators about departmental goals and objectives, and analyzed output from focus groups (facilitated by CB White) to develop recommendations for future program development.

 

 

What did we do?

For the Civic Consulting Alliance, we supported strategic planning and capacity building on engagements with the City Colleges of Chicago, Public Building Commission, and Mayor’s Office of Chicago.

For a separate engagement, we researched and wrote a book celebrating the Alliance’s 20th Anniversary.

What did we do?

For the Chicago Urban League, we supported organizational capacity building by developing a “playbook” to integrate processes of three different departments. We conducted internal research, created a new operations plan, and facilitated a large-scale training for implementation.

 

What did we do?

For the California Academy of Sciences, we developed a strategic plan for education programming. We conducted internal and benchmark research to develop a set of recommendations for future growth.

 

What did we do?

For the United States Botanic Garden, we directed the evaluation effort for the Garden’s volunteer training program.

We developed an evaluation framework and methodology, as well as original instruments, including focus group guides and two different surveys. In addition, we conducted a horizon scan involving five cultural organizations to identify best practices in volunteer training. Finally, we researched and developed an adult learning brief to share best practices in the field.

The final report featured analysis and research-based recommendations and will be shared with the national garden community at upcoming conferences.