Two major studies continued ISO efforts to understand the 

 congruence between the intentions of exhibition creators and 

 the responses of the visiting public to exhibitions. The Science 

 and American Life (SAL) Study at the National Museum of 

 American History (NMAH) was completed. Data were col- 

 lected at the exhibition and the associated Hands On Science 

 Center. Entrance and exit surveys were conducted with about 

 800 visitors to detetmine if any attitudinal changes resulted 

 from a visit to the exhibition. In addition, the behavior of 160 

 visitors in the exhibition was systematically observed to un- 

 derstand the importance of exhibition elements and their use 

 (e.g., use of interactives). NMAH will use the analysis and ob- 

 servations as part of an effort to improve the visitors' experi- 

 ence in SAL as well as to respond to questions about its 

 communication effectiveness. 



A comprehensive assessment of the Ocean Planet exhibition, 

 on view at NMNH prior to a national tour, was designed dur- 

 ing FY95 and includes entrance and exit interviews and an ob- 

 servation study. Data were collected from visitors in August 

 1995; in October 1995, data collection from visitors will be 

 completed. 



In sum, as described here and in our publication listing, 

 Fiscal Year 1995 has seen continued use, at SI and elsewhere, 

 of ISO's technical expertise and utilization of the results accu- 

 mulated since its establishment. 



National Air and Space Museum 



Robert S. Hoffmann, Acting Director 



The past year was an especially challenging one for the Na- 

 tional Air and Space Museum. The museum's efforts to mount 

 a complex exhibition about the end of World War II, featur- 

 ing the Boeing B-29 Superfortress "Enola Gay," elicited con- 

 siderable debate. Meanwhile, the museum expanded its 

 educational offerings, continued to move forward on plans for 

 the much-needed facility at Washington Dulles International 

 Airport, and launched a contributing membership program. 

 As the year drew to a close, the museum staff was putting 

 the finishing touches on a schedule of exhibitions and public 

 programs that promise to make 1996, the twentieth anniver- 

 sary of the public opening of the world's most visited mu- 

 seum, a memorable and exciting year. 



New Programs, Initiatives 



The National Air and Space Society, an individual member- 

 ship program designed to raise capital funds for the building 

 of the N ASM Dulles Center as well as to support the 

 Museum's restoration and preservation projects and educa- 

 tional programs, was established in June, 1995. At the end of 

 the fiscal year, the society had more than 2,000 contributing 

 members. 



The Office of Development expanded to include both a for- 

 mal Planned Giving program and a Marketing Office. The 

 museum's Special Events Office coordinated 135 events during 

 FY 1995. Gift-related events generated more than $450,000 in 

 unrestricted funds, one of the highest totals ever received by 

 NASM. 



In May 1995, the NASM home page went online on the 

 Worldwide Web. Supported by a grant from NASA, the 

 museum's Center for Earth and Planetary Studies (CEPS) and 

 the Education Services Department are developing online ma- 

 terials and educational activities. The grant is also supporting 

 development of electronic versions of "Exploring the Planets" 

 and "Looking at Earth" galleries. Educational programs, se- 

 lected curricula, schedules, and interactive opportunities are 

 now presented through colorful, informative sites. Via a gift 

 from NASA, a collaboration was formed with NASM, the 

 University of California at Berkeley, Smithsonian Astro- 

 physical Observatory, the Lawrence Hall of Science, the New 

 York Hall of Science, the Exploratonum, the Adler Planetar- 

 ium, and the Virginia Museum of Science to create curricula 

 and activities for the Internet. An on-line station was added 

 to the museum's Teacher Resource Center to allow access to 

 the materials from within the museum as well. 



To make our large-screen IMAX films more accessible to 

 visitors, NASM has installed the world's first closed-caption 

 system for a motion picture theater. Captioning is available 

 for up to 12 individuals at a time during all regular daytime 

 features. A new box office is credited with boosting atten- 

 dance at the Einstein Planetarium. 



Exhibitions 



Two exhibitions dominated the museum's FY 1995 agenda. 

 The first, "The Last Act: The Atomic Bomb and the End of 

 World War II," demonstrated the challenges museums can 

 face when attempting to display potentially controversial arti- 

 facts and research. While "The Last Act" was cancelled by Sec- 

 retary Heyman several months before its scheduled opening, 

 the controversy surrounding the exhibition served as a catalyst 

 for constructive discussions regarding exhibition development 

 and guidelines. 



The cancelled exhibition was replaced with "Enola Gay," an 

 exhibition focusing on the aircraft itself; the men who flew it; 

 and the efforts of museum staff and volunteers to restore it. 

 More than a quarter of a million visitors passed through the 

 "Enola Gay" exhibit in its first three months. 



"Building the Arsenal of Democracy: World War II Photo- 

 graphs from the National Air and Space Archives" opened in 

 March 1995. The 47 photographs in the exhibition illustrate 

 the changes brought about by the combined efforts of mili- 

 tary personnel and private citizens, working not only to sup- 

 port those on the front lines, but also to protect the United 

 States from attack. 



A Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat was the third and final aircraft 

 in the museum's "Air Power in World War II" series. "Hell- 

 cat" opened in April 1995 and provided visitors with the op- 



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