Abstract
"This dissertation proposes an initial framework for designing and presenting exhibits in science centers for approaching the three main powers; attracting power, holding power and learning power, based on the results of visitor studies. Another goal of this research is to recommend methods for improving the educational role of planetariums in science centres.
Data for this research have been collected in June and July 2004 in Falun Science Centre; affiliated to Dalarna University. The Science Center includes a planetarium (Stella Nova) and different exhibitions and a Knowledge Maze. Most of exhibits of the Science Center have been built by the students of Science Communication. The researchers used different methods such as observations, interviews and questionnaires for data collection. They used an initial framework recommended by C.Barriault (1998) , for evaluating visitors’ learning.
The specific objectives of this summative evaluation are to identify effective elements in exciting and learning components of exhibits and planetariums. This investigations results in an initial framework that determines important parameters in designing and presenting exhibits and planetarium programs in a science center."
