Field+Trip+Project

=The Intern Curator =

**Introduction**
As part of our unit on expository writing, you will be taking on the task of intern curator at the National Constitution Center. A curator is a person in charge of a museum or museum exhibit, and your job as an intern will be to select new materials and artifacts for the museum's existing exhibits or to create and propose an entirely new exhibit for the museum.

As part of the selection process, you will need to pay special attention to the types of materials, artifacts, and exhibits currently on display at the museum, and of course you will need to pay attention to how these artifacts and displays are presented in writing. To help you with this, you will complete the [|scavenger hunt] worksheet and the [|American National Tree] worksheet while at the museum.

You may work individually, with a partner, or in a small group of three or four. If you choose to work in a small group, your assignment will be to put together a new exhibit for the museum. If you are working individually or with a partner you can choose to design a new exhibit or add to an existing exhibit. You (or your group) will be expected to present your selections, artifacts, or exhibits to your fellow interns. You will also be required to submit formal write ups that will serve as the placards explaining your selections, artifacts, or exhibit. After all presentations are made, we will vote on the project we feel deserves to be added to the museum.

The Process
//Add to an Existing Exhibit// 1. Select an exhibit that appeals to you. 2. Describe this exhibit: what's in it? what does it look like? does it feature technology? is it interactive? is it long? short? 3. Think about what the exhibit is designed to show or demonstrate. Write this down as the exhibit's goal statement. 4. Most exhibit's are designed around a theme or idea, does this exhibit have a theme or idea? what is it? 5. Each person is to brainstorm at least five additional artifacts or items that could be included in the exhibit. 6. Research your five ideas/artifacts and narrow your selection down to two. Present you ideas to the head curator (Mr. Uhler) for approval. 7. Research your two artifacts/ideas and begin gathering information for your placard write-ups and presentation. 8. Decide how you want to present your idea/artifact to the other interns (could be a power point, a movie, a poster, etc.). Present your presentation idea to the head curator for approval.

//Create a New Exhibit// 1. Examine several exhibits to get an understanding of how exhibits are assembled (do they use technology? do they have artifacts? what information doe they try to convey?) 2. Brainstorm three to five themes or ideas around which you might build your exhibit. 3. Research the types of artifacts and materials that could be included in your exhibit. 4. Present your ideas to the head curator (Mr. Uhler) for approval. 5. Select the exhibit you wish to put together. 6. Brainstorm ways to present your exhibit, and narrow down the list of artifacts that you would want to include. 7. Develop a "mission statement" for your exhibit and present this to the head curator. 8. Decide how best to present your exhibit to the other interns (power point, movie, poster, mock exhibit) and present your presentation idea to the head curator for approval.