Internet-based Space-related Public Programs and Outreach at the Powerhouse Museum

摘要

As part of their educative role, museums and science centres routinely develop and present public programs designed to appeal to the general (non-school) community visiting the institution, as well as outreach programs designed for both schools and the broader public that cannot attend the institution in person. Since its opening in 1988, the Powerhouse Museum has presented a range of successful traditional-format space-related public programs (lectures, panel discussions, workshops, conferences etc) catering for both specialist and general audiences. From the outset it also experimented with live presentations from beyond Australia, via videoconferencing and even 'live' imagery from deep space probes, through a link with the NASA Deep Space Tracking Station at Tidbinbilla, near Canberra. With the advent of the internet, with its capability for live on-line broadcasting anywhere in the world, or beyond, the museum has mounted a series of successful "live from space" public programs based around the internet coverage of particular manned or planetary missions, provided by various space agencies, supplemented by expert commentary from museum staff or guest speakers on-site. In addition, the museum has, over the past few years, been developing a range of on-line resources, such as interactive educational games and on-line exhibitions, as part of its outreach to schools and the broader community. This program will soon include at least one on-line space-related exhibit. This paper will present an outline of the Powerhouse Museum's space-related internet based public programs and outreach initiatives. It will discuss their development, their popular appeal and the 'added value' that they provide to 'in-person' and 'virtual' museum visitors.