Part 4: Blueprints

 

Goals
1. Introduce students to the elements of museum display and blueprint planning.

Materials
Blueprint paper
Paper
Pencils or pens
Computers
Example blueprints

Time
Approximately 1 hour

Procedure
1. The teacher will begin by explaining the elements of a good museum display *.
2. Students will gather in their museum teams.
3. Each team will receive a sample blueprint to look at or view one on the Internet **.
4. Each team will receive their own piece of blueprint paper.
5. Each team will make a list of the elements and items they want to incorporate in their displays.
6. Each team will draw their entire plan for their display.

Assessment
1. Teams will hand in their list of display items and blueprints. (Criteria for success: All items on the list are incorporated
     in the blueprint and the blueprint is completed. See Rubric for Layout.)

Major Concepts
1. Math - geometric shapes
2. Technical Education - drafting


 * Resources for good museum displays:
Bethesda, Md. (1977). The best in exhibition design. In Print Casebooks (Vol. 3Ý & Vol. 5). Washington DC:
RC Publications.
Cutchins, J. (1995). Are those animals real?:Ý How museums prepare wild life exhibits. New York:Ý Morrow
Junior Books. (see pp. 35-38)
Ross, R. (1989).Ý Museology.Ý Santa Barbara:Ý University Art Museum.

** Possible site for blueprints:
Gates Building Blueprints--
http://www-ksl.stanford.edu/graphics/blueprints/blueprints.html

Extensions
     Have a contractor visit the class and talk about the uses of blueprints. 
Go To Part 5: Display Construction

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Submitted By St. Norbert College Ocean Voyagers Program