The Exploratorium proposes to conduct a staff development program to help 36 museum professionals expand their exhibit development capabilities. Our intent is to conduct a 2 year program in which eighteen participants a year will take part. Each year, Eploratorium senior exhibit development staff and quest faculty from other science museums, will hold a one-week seminar; this will be followed by a four- week internship at the Exploratorium. The year would conclude with a week long seminar on the educational and programmatic use of exhibits. A maximum of two persons from any single museum would be allowed to participate in the program enabling us to serve a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 36 museums from around the United States. Candidates would have to demonstrate an appropriate level of professional experience and committment. A significant aspect of the program is the individual attention the Exploratorium will provide by organizing the internships to occur in six consecutive sessions, each limited to three participants. A senior exhibit developer will act as a mentor/advisor for the participants and help them experience the process of turning ideas into variable exhibits. Participants will be able to make use of the exhibit staff, shop resources and the participating museums would obtain a core set nof 20 exhibits; these would be selected from a matrix of over 100 possible exhibits. In this way museums would aquire refined and innovative exhibits which would best serve their individual pedegogical and technical needs. These exhibits would be built by Exploratorium staff with the directinvolvement of the program participants. Selections would be made during a week-long consultation visit with Exploratorium staff.
