| The study explored intrinsic learning among older children, ages 7 to 10, interacting with hands-on, self-directed, interactive exhibits at DuPage Children's Museum. Older children's interest in the exhibits typically begins to wane after age 7. I conducted a three-phase qualitative research study to gain insight into the children's interests from several perspectives and to provide triangulation in the data. For Phase 1, I conducted individual semi-structured interviews with three exhibit facilitators at DuPage Children's Museum. Exhibit facilitators are front-line staff, skilled at interacting with children and families to enhance their exhibit experience. Phase 2 consisted of three individual interviews with museum professionals, all experts in developing self-directed, interactive, educational exhibits for children. To provide a global perspective, the museum experts either were independent consultants, or held positions at museums other than the DuPage Children's Museum. For Phase 3, four observers took field notes of a group of nine child research participants, ages 7 to 10, interacting with exhibits at the museum for a period of one hour. Focus group interviews, with the children and the parents separately, immediately followed the observations. I designed the questions to learn more about what the children found interesting and motivating.;My examination of the data revealed five themes that may increase our understanding of what motivates 7- to 10-year-old children to experiment and learn at self-directed, interactive exhibits. The themes are independence from parents, gender preferences, size and scale, real world connections, and activities that cannot be done at home. The five themes may provide museum educators with clues on how to develop engaging experiences for this age group. |
