AR in Museums

AR is being used in museums to create unique interactive displays.

An Interview with Ed Rodley, Exhibit Developer, Museum of Science-Boston

The Museum of Science, Boston, and Lucas Films collaborated on a project called "Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination".  One of the exhibits in this marvelous project used augmented reality to give participants the ability to do some futuristic urban planning.  I had the opportunity to interview Ed Rodley the person in charge of developing exhibits at the museum.

Ed explained to me that they wanted the project to include an activity that would engage visitors in the decision making of urban planners, so that they might come away with an understanding of how planning effects quality of life.  They asked what physical models would work, and settled with augmented reality "from the get go".  The benefits of using AR was that it was kinesthetic and allow for sophisticated behaviors, providing for the ability to move objects around in space.  It also eliminated the learning curve some interfaces require.  It required very little labeling, no buttons, and seemed "magical".

The "markers" were printed on a heavy resin paper, and the "reality" was displayed on a large LCD screen.  Ed said that participants at the exhibit treated it much better than expected.  Younger people seemed to learn how to use the exhibit much more quickly than adults, but adults stayed at the exhibit longer.

The exhibit remained in MOS for a number of weeks, but is now a traveling exhibit.  The museum is planning another exhibit that will use AR which will become a permanent exhibit in 2012.  This exhibit will be a human biology AR exhibit, allowing visitors to see overlay models of various systems on their bodies.  These will include the circulatory system with the heart beating in rhythm with the viewer.

You can read more about the Star Wars exhibit, and download documents about it, here:

http://www.exhibitfiles.org/star_wars_where_science_meets_imagination

Picture 2.pngSan Diego Museum of Art and School in the Park

The story of The Paper Crane is the theme of an augmented reality experience expected to be opened on April 21st, 2010 at the San Diego Museum of Art.  The project is being lead by Dr. Patrick O'Shea, and is being done in collaboration with School in the Park (a unique program in which 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students spend their mornings at San Diego's Balboa Park museums, receiving instruction from museum educators).

While the project was developed to meet California State Standards, and is part of the official curriculum for 4th grades students in the SitP program, visitors to the museum will also be able to participate in the exhibit.

In preparing to write this article I searched recent news reports to see if an offical announcement regarding its opening was made, but was not able to find one.  I have written to the museum for further information, and as soon as I get a reply I will post it here.

 

Picture 5.png

AR exhibit at MOS Boston

Stalking the Pink Flamingo Gang

The Star Wars exhibit wasn't MOS's first experience with augmented reality.  In February of 2004 the museum, in collaboration with researchers from MIT, hosted a high-tech "who done it" experience for middle-schoolers, and yes it was using hand held devices (even way back then)Smile

http://www.technologyreview.com/communications/13560/?a=f

You can read more about SitP and SDMA here:

You can read more about the project here:

http://www.educatorsroyaltreatment.com/2010/04/12/augmented-reality-the-new-simulation/

http://parks.sandi.net/Pages/SITP/ARE_intro.htm

And you can read more about School in the Park here:

http://schoolinthepark.net/

http://www.mopa.org/education/sitp.htm

http://edweb.sdsu.edu/people/CMathison/SITP.html

And you can keep up with what's happening at the San Diego Museum of Art here:

http://www.sdmart.org/