Levels of Engagement_X-ray

1. Recognition
The x-ray exhibit is often missed. The first level of engagement is often recognition of the exhibit. Many people will look at the exhibit, see the video, may or may not watch the video, and often move on. Many children also find the toys and play with them but do not realize there is more to the exhibit.

2. Placement
If the X-rays are found, people will often hold the x-rays up to the light or place the x-rays on the table and look through one or more.

3. Making Connections
The next level of engagement is making the connection that the x-rays are of the objects in the back cubbies and matching the objects to the x-rays. This may also include the realization that there are multiple x-rays for some of the objects.

(Making the connection that the video, x-rays, and toys are all related usually occurs sometime within the 2nd or 3rd level of engagement)

4. Exploration
This is the level of engagement were people are looking deeply at the x-rays, identifying what is inside the objects by looking at the x-rays, answering the questions on the x-rays, connecting all of the pieces and really understanding the process.

This exhibit often requires facilitation in order for visitors to be fully engaged. I believe this is highly due to the fact that so many visitors do not notice that the x-rays are even there. The toys are often found, however the connection that those toys are part of an exhibit is lost. With facilitation, visitors often go through all of the levels of engagement.