We've heard the mantra before: " We have to get the kids interested!" All educational disciplines have opined about it before ad nauseum. That very question was recently posted on a LinkedIn Group called Museum Design. A couple of members pointed to the USS Constitution Museum as a place that has really found some great answers to that question. It re-confirmed why I'd someday love to be involved in that industry.

Before I get into that, let me give you a little story. Some years ago, a reenactor friend of mine asked me to help out in a presentation he was giving to a boyscout troop who was about to embark on a field trip to Gettysburg. So a couple of other guys and me donned our uniforms and performed some demonstrations on stage while my friend, a grammar school principal, gave a narration. Like many of us history geeks (myself included) he has endless info stored in his brain that just comes spilling out once the spigot is opened. It wasn't long before I could see he was losing them. It was becoming just another school lecture. So I stepped in. I got them out of their seats, formed them in ranks and taught them how too maneuver like Civil War soldiers. The kids loved it! So did the scout masters who asked us to teach them too so they could use the commands to move the kids around in a orderly fashion on the battlefield that weekend. A boring lecture turned "hands on" proved to be a big success! It was an eye-opener for me.

Ok, now check out The Family Learning Forum which is conducted by the USS Constitution Museum. Take a look at the ReThinking Exhibitions tab and the section called Steal this Idea. Those ideas, which I find instictive, are seldom used by history museums. I don't know why. They use hands on experiences, miniatures (which kids find interesting in and of themselves), and costumes to stimulate interest. Those are all elements children use when they do what they love the best: PLAY! Duh. It seems pretty obvious now, doesn't it? Here's a good article of a mom's account of her and her kids experience there. The method seems to be working.

I've only explored a small portion of The Family Learning Forum but I have a feeling I'll end up reading the whole thing. Designing spaces like the USS Constitution Museum would be a dream job for me. For anyone who wants to pass on their love of history, there is so much to be learned!

It's time to start thinking outside the display case.