| Abstract: | This paper describes the goals and preliminary work of Project Math-Muse, an interdisciplinary team of university and public school educators working with children's museums to design and evaluate interactive mathematics exhibits for young children. Authors discuss the rationale for the development of small, interactive mathematics exhibits for young children, based on the goal of matching (a) reform-based views of mathematics, which emphasize children's active, hands-on engagement in meaningful activities, with (b) the principles that guide children's museums. Observations of children and adults interacting with two exhibit prototypes developed at a local children's museum are presented along with discussions of some of the issues that have arisen in this work so far. The paper concludes with directions for continued work. |
