Systems Engineering II: Sandy
Hook Art and Science Museum
Presentation Announcement
Students
of the Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST)—Alice Maiden, Margaret
Goddard, and Michaela Altland—will present their senior capstone project, the
Sandy Hook Art and Science Museum, on January 22 at 12:15 P.M.at M.A.S.T. in
Highlands, New Jersey.
Sandy Hook: Alive with Art,
Science, and History
On historic Fort Hancock, New Jersey, MAST students proposed
to exhibit information about the relationship between art and science.
Lieutenant Quarters #3, a World War II officers’ home from when the fort was
active, is deteriorating along with similar buildings along Officer’s Row. Alice
Maiden is developing plans to re-purpose the building as an art and science
museum.
Designing a Museum
 |
| Figure 1: Exhibit panel template. |
Alice
Maiden is developing plans for the Sandy Hook Art and Science Museum’s layout
and exhibits. The floor plan illustrates a visitor’s museum experience through
exhibits and circulation routes; and Maiden is compiling and virtually publishing
one exhibit display about the relationship between chemistry and Impressionism,
part of which is illustrated by Figure 1, which shows a template for part of
the display. Her publication will consist of a touch screen exhibit application,
a printed exhibit panel, and a website exhibiting her work.
Learning from Experts
Maiden
and her team are working alongside professionals throughout the project. Using
their guidance, Maiden has followed a design process closely mirroring those of
graduate students and professionals. Mr. Thomas Hoffman, Ms. Jennifer Cox, and
Mr. John Warren—employees of the National Park Service—serve as Maiden’s
clients. Throughout the year, she tests her work against their expectations and
critiques through client presentations.
Mrs.
Mary Rasa, a former museum curator for the National Park Service, has guided
Maiden in the research and design process, providing her with resources and
insight into client communications. Maiden also sought guidance from
communication design experts Prof. Lawrence Langham of the Fashion Institute of
Technology and Mr. Josh Miller of Kutztown University, both of whom helped
Maiden format her designs for professional use.
Designing like a Scientist
Maiden’s
project involves science through the design process and the museum content. Maiden
translates complex scientific concepts to language that communicates to young
children, the museum’s audience. Among many other subtopics within the exhibit about
chemistry and Impressionism, Maiden discusses the behavior of light, chemical
reactions in pigments, and color theory. She applies engineering concepts in
making the museum accessible: she follows the Smithsonian Institute’s criteria
in designing the floor plan and exhibit displays. Maiden will also apply computer
science concepts in the touch screen app and website that showcase her work.
Experiencing the Museum
Maiden
will create a website, a printed exhibit, and an app for her touch screen exhibits.
She is also creating a virtual walk-through presentation with Altland to feature
in the Sandy Hook Visitor Center, which will simulate a visitor’s path through
the museum. Also incorporated into the presentation are Goddard’s documentary
and Maiden’s exhibit.
Sandy Hook Art and Science Museum
On
January 22 at 12:15 P.M. at MAST in Highlands, NJ, Alice Maiden and her team
members Altland and Goddard are developing plans for the Sandy Hook Art and
Science Museum, featuring interactive exhibits about the relationship between
art and science. Maiden is working with design professionals to develop an
exhibit discussing relationship between chemistry and Impressionism. They will
display their work in the Sandy Hook Visitors Center this summer.
For more details about the Sandy
Hook Art and Science Museum in Highlands, NJ, contact Alice Maiden at
amaiden@ctemc.org or visit the Marine Academy of Science and Technology at
am-se2art-sciencemuseum.blogspot.com.
About the Marine Academy of
Science and Technology
The
Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) is a co-ed four-year high
school, grades 9-12; one of the five career academies administered by the
Monmouth County Vocational School District. The Marine Academy is fully
accredited by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges and offers
small classes with close personal attention. The Marine Academy was founded in
1981 as a part-time program, which has since grown to become a full-time
diploma-granting program. The school’s curriculum focuses on marine sciences
and marine technology/engineering. The MAST program requires each student to
participate in the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) in lieu
of Physical Education.
MAST
is located in the Fort Hancock Historic Area at the tip of Sandy Hook, New
Jersey. The school campus is located adjacent to the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the
oldest working lighthouse in the country, in thirteen newly renovated
buildings, within walking distance of several beaches. The “Blue Sea” is a
65-foot research vessel owned and operated by the Marine Academy and berthed at
the U.S. Coast Guard Station, Sandy Hook. The vessel is used in all facets of
the program.
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For
additional information:
Marine Academy of
Science and Technology
(732) 749-3600
Alice Maiden, E:
amaiden@ctemc.org
Ms. Wendy Green,
Mr. Cuttrell, V: 732-291-0995
