TPE To Be Displayed at Headquarters of AAAS

Seventeen components duplicated from the Traveling Psychology Exhibition (TPE) will go on view at the new American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) headquarters (see photo on right) in September 1996. Located at 12th Street and New York Avenue, NW, in Washington, DC, the new building houses a series of exhibit spaces in its lobby and mezzanine for the display of art and science exhibitions. The smaller version of the Psychology Exhibition will be at AAAS for a minimum of 2 years, with the possibility of an extension. It will occupy the entire second floor mezzanine, which is visible from the lobby and serves as the entry to conference and seminar rooms. AAAS plans to make the exhibition available to science teachers, students, and the general public.

Staff from TPE and the Science Directorate began discussions with AAAS last November when it became known that AAAS was interested in featuring science exhibitions in its new building. A number of AAAS staff were familiar with the Psychology Exhibition and thought that it would complement both ongoing and future science education programs. With strong support from APA's Executive Office and from AAAS, the Science Directorate requested funding from the APA Board of Directors to build a smaller version of TPE for display at AAAS. The Board of Directors authorized the funding, recognizing that this arrangement will provide sustained visibility for psychological research in the science community.

The Ontario Science Centre, which designed and fabricated the original Psychology Exhibition, is building duplicates of the selected components.

AAAS plans to organize a group of volunteers, including high school students and retirees, to staff the exhibition and work with school groups and other visitors. TPE staff will train these volunteers and hopes to collaborate with AAAS staff to publicize the exhibition, develop public programs, provide teacher training, and create educational materials.

Meanwhile, the tour of the TPE is drawing to a close. Currently in Kalamazoo, MI, the exhibition will travel to the Health Museum in Cleveland for a fall venue. In 1997 the exhibition will go on display for 5 years at the newly completed Arizona Science Center in Phoenix, scheduled to open next April.

The Traveling Psychology Exhibition was developed and produced by APA and the Ontario Science Centre with generous assistance from the National Science Foundation, the W. T. Grant Foundation, the Sloan Foundation, Harvard University, and the National Institute of Mental Health. The exhibition tour is managed by the Association of Science-Technology Centers.