The Value of Educators “on the Floor”: Comparing Three Modes of Presenting Science On a Sphere®

Exhibit experiences at most museums are designed to be self-guided rather than facilitated; and it's certainly a good goal to make exhibit interpretation clear enough to be understood on one's own. The primary rationale for not staffing exhibits is the ongoing personnel cost, but that should be weighed against the value of “on the floor” staffing in terms of visitor experience. This study at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science (DMNS) investigated three modes of presenting a Science On a Sphere exhibit: staff-presented “shows” (18–20 minutes at scheduled times, scripted, audience on benches); staff “facilitating” with individual visitor groups; and visitors looking at the Sphere on their own, called “auto-run.” The findings of this study underscore the appeal of staffing to visitors as well as the educational benefits; however, each mode had advantages and disadvantages.