How to Create Interactive Humane Education Experiences

2/5/2019

Kristina Hulvershorn, MEd - Director of Restorative and Humane Programs, Peace Learning Center and HEART

Take a tour of 'be the change', an interactive humane education exhibition at Peace Learning Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. Participants will find ways to create interactive experiences and exhibitions to invite critical thought and reflection on the very important topics of animal, human, and environmental issues. Included in this speaker session are several important elements to include in your exhibits (and some to avoid) to ensure that learners are engaged.

About our Speaker:
Kristina Hulvershorn is a humane educator who lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. She is the Director for Restorative and Humane Programs at Peace Learning Center and is the Indianapolis Program Manager for HEART. She created 'be the change,' an interactive humane education museum inside Peace Learning Center, and is the author of the book, Secret of the Troublemakers. Kristina lives with 3 dogs, 1 cat, 2 children, and one husband in Indianapolis.

Links and Resources:

be the change

Peace Learning Center

HEART

21 Comments

Maggie Lantzy

2/5/2019 11:34:48 am

Kristina, thank you for sharing about these awesome resources! I will definitely be reaching out directly for activity ideas - I'm particularly interested in the deforestation simulation activity. My big question for today is how you get the exhibit out to people in terms of marketing? I know selling our programs is always a hot topic so I would love to hear more about any tactics you use on getting people to come to the museum. Thanks again for telling us about Be the Change!

Kristina Hulvershorn

2/5/2019 12:55:21 pm

Thank you so much! We haven't done a lot of marketing- instead we situated it in a spot where we knew it would get plenty of traffic (field trips and walk ins). Word of mouth has helped from there but getting onto parent websites and other "what to do with my kids or student group" is relatively easy if you are offering a free visit.
I'm glad to shared the deforestation activity cards and photos of how we do it.

2/5/2019 02:32:56 pm

Ah okay, that makes sense! And thank you for your willingness to share the resources, I will definitely reach out soon! I didn't get a chance to say it a few weeks ago either, but I really enjoyed your presentation with Kim at the APHE conference. I love having the take-home tools to use in programming so appreciated your hands-on presentation!

Ellen Schmidt link

2/5/2019 11:45:06 am

Thank you so much for this interesting presentation, Kristina! I really love the way these exhibits break down complex topics into easy-to-connect with elements for education and it has really helped me start thinking how we can do this for the students we reach through education, but also for our own staff to help our org "walk the walk" even more! Thank you!

2/5/2019 12:56:36 pm

Yes! Adults get so much out of this. Many have come back to tell me that the exhibits motivate specific lifestyle choices! It is based on facts, so adults are more open to engaging with topics they otherwise don't!

Lisbet Chiriboga

2/5/2019 11:56:57 am

Thank you for a great presentation Kristina! It was so informative! I felt like I was right there at the center with you! Great job!

2/6/2019 12:26:42 pm

Thank you! Come for a visit anytime! :)

Nicole Green link

2/5/2019 12:07:11 pm

Kristina,
What an informative session! I love this idea and hope that this is the inspiration for interactive exhibits like this across the globe! Thank you for all that you do to make the world a better place!

2/5/2019 12:57:52 pm

That is so kind of you, Nicole! I hope so, too!

Lori O'Day link

2/5/2019 12:24:25 pm

Kristina, I love the Empathy Theater! What a great idea! Also love the balloons showing a pound of CO2. Wonderful ideas!

2/5/2019 12:58:28 pm

Empathy Theatre is so much fun! Thank you for checking it out! :)

Kim

2/5/2019 01:30:51 pm

Kristina, you are a creative genius! Thank you for sharing this incredibly engaging, thought-provoking, awe-inspiring museum that you envisioned and brought to fruition. I think that these types of activities bring humane education content to life and will stay with youth and adults alike as call them to consider the impact their choices, behaviors, and attitudes have on others and the planet, and think about ways they can live compassionately, equitable, and sustainable for the benefit of all living beings and the Earth.

2/6/2019 12:21:40 pm

You are so kind! I think that these are the "sticky-est" humane ed activities because they are so memorable. The content really sticks with participants!

Mel Jacques

2/5/2019 02:53:39 pm

Hello Kristina!
Wow, fantastic presentation, and what an incredible location full of endless learning opportunities. I definitely got some great ideas for new activities within our programming.
I was wondering, just for personal interest, if you have a couple examples from your "what does it cost" market, with the global impact of specific items?
Thanks in advance for the insight!

2/6/2019 12:23:02 pm

We actually have some completely made up in our Comprehensive Humane Education Guides available at teachheart.org/library They are part of an activity in the elementary guide and it's available for download for free!

Jennie Baxla

2/5/2019 03:26:30 pm

This was such an informative session - thank you! I love the idea of empathy theater.

2/6/2019 12:23:39 pm

It's a really fun, easy, and impactful activity!

Judy Crumpton

2/5/2019 07:48:25 pm

Loved your presentation! It was so much fun touring the Learning Center and Empathy Theater! The example of what a whales stomach may contain was powerful!

2/6/2019 12:26:27 pm

Thank you so much! It is really fun as well!

Zoe Weil link

2/7/2019 11:12:35 am

Oh my gosh Kristina! This is FANTASTIC! What a fabulous museum, and it's so great that you can also take these exhibits on the road. I loved this so much. So many brilliant ways of making visual and kinesthetic experiences. The Doll House exhibit! The Oversized Price Tags to demonstrate the true price! Empathy Theater! Who is the Changemaker shower curtain/mirror! Thank you for the shout out for the Whale's Stomach, but you should know that the originator of that activity is a humane educator named Pamela Krausz, with whom I connected nearly 30 years ago in Philadelphia who came up with the original idea. I love how these activities grow, develop, spread, and become better and better with new insights and effort. Last thing: the guidelines were spot on. Bravo. Thanks so much for this fantastic presentation that shares your amazing museum.

Abby Power link

2/7/2019 04:08:17 pm

Kristina, beautiful session! I love that the experiences are bite-sized and digestible for all ages. I also love that you use your own curiosity to design the exhibits!
Abby

HUMANE SUMMIT 2019