New TSA procedure has step into box so they can get a detailed body scan (not sure if it's xray?). In any event - the only warning you get seeing a small photo in the line of what the folks on the other side of the camera will see. It is pretty detailed. I'm irritated because they don't tell you that there is another option to be wanded if you don't want extra radiation exposure or someone seeing a detailed photo of you.
Our flight was good - no bad landings! A bit exciting! About an hour into the trip the mid section of the plane starts shouting for a stewardess that they need help. A male passenger passed out! Luckily there was a doctor on board our plane who spent the rest of almost the entire flight hunched over the patient. He did pass out again, got oxygen, and happily we saw him just fine at baggage claim later.
Houston airport, what little we saw seemed ok. There baggage claim is so fast that they had already circulated our plains bags and sent ours to lost bags. We waited for about 10 minutes wondering when ours would come, but they had already finished! Word to wise - watch out for the crazy golf cart drivers in the airport.
We came across at least 5 - and all of the drivers looked angry and didn't slow down - even if you were in the way. So when you see them - move!
We also saw a very cool interactive tangram screen at the airport. There were about 3 tween all playing with the touch screen orienting different shapes to create animals, etc.
We made it to the hotel - checked in and had about 15 minutes to set our stuff down and get to Pecha Kucha. We finally got to eat and grabbed a quick sandwich at Einstein Bagels before we walked down the block. We asked directions from designated ACM staff with signs - we got finger pointing in one direction and verbal directions for another. There is not really any signage telling one where to go for registration or events. But discovery is half the fun!
The event was about 4 blocks down at a historic park. There was gorgeous 75 year old oak tree that was enormous out front to greet us! Sorry the pictures are so dark! There was some confusion once we arrived, as there were 3 old structures, and lots of small groups of ACM folks with badges. We came across Justine, who we met through Gyroscope, who is now director of a children's museum on the east coast.
Justine told us it is not - pehcha koocha, but rather pechahhh-kahcha. I don't think anyone knows because we keep hearing it both ways. Whatever it is - it's fun to say! We came in and just missed a previous event that was held under the patio and headed into a small room in one of the historic buildings. the room was set up with tables and chairs - rather than classroom style with chairs facing the speaker.
It was definitely a packed house! I counted over a hundred with a room who's capacity was maybe 60 with all those tables and chairs! All of the walls and doors were blocked with bodies.
The presentations were interesting - I like the pecha kucha style! It's 20 slides, 20 seconds per slide, giving a speaker 6 minutes. It's japanese for "chit chat" and was started by architects who were long-winded. I bet it's tough on the speaker to synthesize everything - but GREAT for the listener. It means if the speakers bad - at least it's short - and if they're good they're great!
Because the room was so crowded, pillars, people in the way - it was difficult to get all the info .....
Keith Osfeld - Houston Children's Museum - Technical/Exhibits
Did a great segment on technology in children's museums. We got a brief overview of the Houston Museum, who it serves, some reference with pictures and then on to the meat of the presentation. Technology is important in children's museums - used in the right way by the right people. They have a 21 (tech grant?) they've been working with for 5 months - but have 2 years to complete research. They've got IPADs on the floor with "Discovery Guides" using educational apps to reinforce learning and are using QR codes for users to customize learning information. Example - see more (scan this), read more (scan this), continue learning at home (scan this).
Jennifer Alexander - Kid City, Middleton, CT
Her presentation didn't become clear until the end. She started her presentation with a focus on germs, then discussed creating an exhibit on hand washing and went through several different designs. Then she delved into the history of her museum (previous convent, historical machine discovered int heir attic) and how that was adapted to become the exhibit and also teaches families about germs and helps with germs in the museum.
Eric Rose - Austin, Texas (Exhibit designer?)
I'm not clear on what the goal of the presentation was. We saw pictures of his home and how he was inspired to create exhibits. He showed pictures of a few exhibits he created at several museums. A picture of the exhibit would be shown, but we did not full information on what it was and where it was located. It seemed closer to a conversation he was sharing with someone he knew and flipping through photos of a vacation. The bits I got of it - check out Cincinatti for a very emmersive ice cave exhibit. Puerto Rico has an unsuccessful outdoor play area.He really enjoyed creating a "Discovery Trunk" for a nature preserve.
Redbox Limited - Tony and Simon
There was then a dual presentation from two gentleman - Simon and Tony. I could not tell you how it tied in. It was a bout the similarities between football and soccer. This was a very loooong presentation.
Sarry Boren (Like Larry) - Exhibit Developer
Gave a very fun presentation about her learning experience of falling in love with the ukelele and how she could make visitors feel that through an exhibit. She talked about what her ukelele experience and ehibits had in common that was enjoyable:
clear goals, action, immediate feedback.
She also referenced how the videogame Tetris also fed into this an became addictive! She said she hasn't completely figured out the whole thing because part of the experience lies with the visitor and their susceptability to the experience.
Very interesting first night. I think it sets the stage for the next few days - lots of information! We start tomorrow bright and early with breakfast with conference folk - so hopefully we meet some exciting helpful people!
Thanks for reading! Hope there was some interesting / helpful info. in here!
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