Press Release

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