ABSTRACT Despite the growing popularity and frequency of science festivals in the United States (US), the body of science festival research is limited. Using the lens of experiential learning theory, we examined the lasting impacts of science festivals on individual family members’ perspectives of the experience, and the similarities and differences in parent and children perspectives. The participants were 175 visitors and five families (7 children, 6 adults), who attended a science-themed festival. On the day of the event, 175 participants completed a questionnaire. Three months later individual family members participated in a drawing, drawing description, and interview. The results indicate that children described themselves as active participants, while parents portrayed themselves as onlookers. Families attended the event as a unit, but the experiences individuals described were dissimilar. The findings have implications for researchers and practitioners who design science festival programs. A discussion of seven characteristics of successful activities are included.

中文翻译：

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体验学习理论：确定海洋科学节对家庭成员的影响并确定成功活动的特征

摘要尽管在美国（美国）科学节的受欢迎程度和频率不断增长，但科学节研究的主体仍然有限。我们使用体验式学习理论的镜头，考察了科学节对单个家庭成员的体验观点的持久影响，以及父母和子女观点的异同。参加者有175位游客和5个家庭（7个孩子，6个成人），他们参加了以科学为主题的节日。活动当天，有175名参与者填写了问卷。三个月后，个别家庭成员参加了绘画，绘画说明和访谈。结果表明，孩子将自己描述为积极参与者，而父母则将自己描述为旁观者。家庭作为一个单元参加了活动，但是个人描述的经历并不相同。该发现对设计科学节计划的研究人员和从业人员具有启示意义。讨论了成功活动的七个特征。