Thinking About Dolphins Thinking
IMLS Grant
Proposal Leads:
Paul J. Boyle, Ph.D.
Diana Reiss, Ph.D.
John Fraser, Ph.D.
Software Design by:
unifiedfield.com
Proposal Leads:
Paul J. Boyle, Ph.D.
Diana Reiss, Ph.D.
John Fraser, Ph.D.
Software Design by:
unifiedfield.com
Dolphins have always fascinated people. Yet, public dolphin shows focus mostly on their physical abilities and trained behaviors, while their intelligence and amazing cognitive, social, and communicative skills have remained perplexing.
To increase understanding, the New York Aquarium created a public exhibit about dolphins, but with no dolphins. It was designed to engage visitors in actively thinking about dolphin thinking. Previously considered too complex for the public to comprehend, we used technology to unmask the fascinating and complex nature of dolphin cognition.
Visitors were invited to participate in exhibit mock-ups to assess how well close-up videos and other tools could help people observe dolphin behaviors that demonstrate thinking. This significantly increased interest and learning.
The exhibit focused on specific dolphin characteristics about which people wanted to learn. For example, one area showed underwater videos of dolphins blowing bubble rings and then, looking up, the dolphin darted through its rising ring – and the visitors shouted, “They’re playing! “
Visitors saw close connections and intriguing differences between thinking in humans and other big-brained mammals. Evaluations in this research exhibit showed that informal, hands-on experiences effectively enhance science learning.
The National Science Education Standards note: “. . . schools need the support of science-rich institutions like aquariums and museums to establish science literacy. . .and prepare students to apply scientific reasoning to the world outside the classroom.” (National Research Council).