Multiple Intelligence Project

For my Multiple Intelligence Project I went to the Discovery Museum Twice. Unfortunately I left late (My wife wanted to go so I waited for her to get out of work), there was a nasty accident on the freeway and I did not know where to go once we got to Salt Lake or the mail. I walked around the mail even passing in front of the museum twice which I really don't know way I did not see it because it wasn't really that hard to find. When I finally got to the right place it was too late to fulfill the assignment so we returned a different day, which I was very glad we did.

My wife, son and myself where able to attend the second time and it was a great experience. In every part of the museum I could see cognitive development and Vygotsky's theory. I think he would have enjoyed being there as well. I don't remember the names of each section of the exhibit, however I could see everywhere how guided participation was available to the children. For example, on the second floor (middle floor) of the museum there were examples where children could pretend, play and act out adult tasks. Children were able to seen what it would be like to be a news caster, a artist, scientist etc. On the first floor I there is a picture (above) of a grocery store where children can act out and play as if they worked in a grocery store. Below is a picture of a car and a gas pump. Here is a great example of conitive apprenticeship where a parent or other children can teach each other able driving and filling up a car with gasoline. In any of the activities Social constructivism will be present as peers find their own perspective on the meaning of life, by what they have seen in life and what they are able to interpret.

To the right is a picture of a statement in the first room where Vygotsky thoughts are present. The words say, "Discover what happens when you play alone or with others." This is my other reference and I included this because many different types of learning and development will happen by working alone or with others. I enjoyed as I played in this area moving the plastic balls around and figuring out how the system worked. After a few minutes doing this a child that was playing in another area started working with me as a team to move the plastic balls to other sections of this activity. It was interesting to see how I learned individually and as I worked for just a couple of minutes with someone that was learning at the same time.

Above is a picture of my son. Here as young as he is he had a blast (at least for a few minutes until he decided that he hated this turtle suit and wanted to get out of it and be held). We were on the first floor in the area where you are supposed to remove your shoes or wear little blue booties on your feet. My son was put in a this turtle suit and was able to crawl around. He crawled around (as much as he could, but mostly lifting himself above the ground and moving a few inches away), when he had enough he let us know.

In the middle of the first floor where there is the water and the exhibit where it models a mountain with rain. I took a duck and lifted it up to the highest spot I could reach and watched it as it floated down the mountain. I help it in a few spots were it got stuck. Sometime during this process I could see another child watching me. I am sure she was watching me as an example. I know she was using internalization as I was able to see the wheels turn in this young mind. Obviously I could not here her inner speech by she express it through her actions as she wanted to participate and help the duck make it downstream.

After playing and seeing what was at this museum I actually got really jealous that I was not a kid anymore. I felt like a kid again and enjoyed it. The atmosphere was definitely a discovery/learning atmosphere for children and adults myself included.