The Steele Model Pavilion is where the Nick Scandone Exhibit and model ships are kept. Of the three, this one is my favorite because of the exhibits and it has the best view. Steve Grohl was an Olympic Athlete who participated in the Paralympics 2008. He was a sailor for the games and took home the Gold Medal for sailing. The theme of this exhibit is: If you can dream it, you can live it". The exhibit allows for kids to make this concept come alive by allowing the kids to write their dreams on sails (this got a bit out of hand, as the kids started writing on the curtains).
Working the desk was not particularly exciting until the boss comes in and tells me that some important people are coming to this gallery today for ????? (that wasn't explained exactly). I had to be extra sharp today to make a good impression. No problem except that these people were in the middle of a scavenger hunt and the museum was the last stop. I was not expecting a bunch of people in Hawaiian shirts to come walking in.
This was a big deal for the museum and everything went smoothly but that was not MY highlight for the day. the boss gave me the remote to the bubble machine. It was located on top of the entrance and it was supposed to make the scavenger hunt more entertaining but the bubble machine attracted a different audience. When the bubbles came on, all the kids in the area got really excited and tried to catch them all!
The bubble machine made everyone's day a bit better from kids to old folk to gallery attendants.
On a side note, new personal record for donations... $15
Saturday, June 23, 2012
June 8: Whaling Rough Draft
Today was an accomplishing day for me as I completed a rough draft script for a whaling ship. After reading through different books and internet sources, I made a good rough draft. One problem that I quickly encountered was how to make the script presentable for kids. (Hunting and killing whales wouldn't go over too well in mind). But I had to write about those subjects with some deleted details.
I sent the script to the boss for a read over and get some feedback on it before the end of the day. Turns out that the boss really liked the script but just needs a little more before it is completely ready for presentation. I was flattered that it went so well.
Now it was time for me to get working on another script. I want to write a script about Clipper Ships (they are my favorite) but the boss had other plans for me.
Every other Friday the museum has an event called Family Fun Zone Fridays. The museum puts out some fun activities for people that are walking by, these activities are mostly targeted for kids. These events are meant to draw people into the museum.
The activity that was pretty popular and that I enjoyed was a build-your-own-boat. You were given a sheet of aluminum foil and make a simple boat out of it and see if floats (everyone's boat floated). But the real challenge was to see how many marbles you could out in your boat before it got too heavy or took on water and sank.
Here were the record holders:
1) Catherine 175 (10 years old)
2) Zachary 156 (8 years old)
3) Sara 134 (28 years old)
4) Joe (me) 117 (20 years old)
I don't want to talk about it...
I sent the script to the boss for a read over and get some feedback on it before the end of the day. Turns out that the boss really liked the script but just needs a little more before it is completely ready for presentation. I was flattered that it went so well.
Now it was time for me to get working on another script. I want to write a script about Clipper Ships (they are my favorite) but the boss had other plans for me.
Every other Friday the museum has an event called Family Fun Zone Fridays. The museum puts out some fun activities for people that are walking by, these activities are mostly targeted for kids. These events are meant to draw people into the museum.
The activity that was pretty popular and that I enjoyed was a build-your-own-boat. You were given a sheet of aluminum foil and make a simple boat out of it and see if floats (everyone's boat floated). But the real challenge was to see how many marbles you could out in your boat before it got too heavy or took on water and sank.
Here were the record holders:
1) Catherine 175 (10 years old)
2) Zachary 156 (8 years old)
3) Sara 134 (28 years old)
4) Joe (me) 117 (20 years old)
I don't want to talk about it...
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
June 2: More Preview Center!
As the title suggests, I worked the Preview Center again. Unfortunately Saturday was much more dull than Friday. Partly due to the fact that I was at desk from open to close and that I already read about all the exhibits.
But the good news: I got more donations on Saturday than I did on Friday. From $12 to $14 (I pick my battles). And there was a more steady flow of traffic throughout the day.
But the good news: I got more donations on Saturday than I did on Friday. From $12 to $14 (I pick my battles). And there was a more steady flow of traffic throughout the day.
June 1: Whaling
When I got into the office, I went to straight work research and started doing research for the Charles W. Morgan whaling ship. It was one of the ships I believe would be perfect for a script. I was shown the museum's library and found ships that pertain to whaling but I really struck gold when I found a book that is all about the Charles W. Morgan. I started reading the book and took notes on what is important that could be relevant to a script while eliminating all the dry information. One of my favorite topics that was mentioned in the book was called a sleigh ride; if a harpooner successfully hit a whale and the whale took off heading toward the horizon. The men had to keep hold of the harpoon line and the whale could have towed them for miles before tiring themselves out.After enough book research, I believe I have enough information to get a rough script going.
(The ship still EXISTS and is currently undergoing a restoration to become seaworthy again)
But my research was cut short for the day because one of the scheduled gallery attendants called in sick so I volunteered to work the gallery. So I went to the Preview Center and worked the front desk. Unlike the East Wing, the Preview Center does not have an admission fee but is donation based.
The Preview Center is what the Nautical Museum has planned for the future. A complete remodel and tear down of the current museum is the plan. The focus of the new museum is sea exploration, discoveries, and interactive exhibits. They plan on keeping the nautical history as part of the new museum.
People often asked me when the construction would begin. I often responded with "in the future". I truly had no idea but at least it made a good laugh.
But my research was cut short for the day because one of the scheduled gallery attendants called in sick so I volunteered to work the gallery. So I went to the Preview Center and worked the front desk. Unlike the East Wing, the Preview Center does not have an admission fee but is donation based.
The Preview Center is what the Nautical Museum has planned for the future. A complete remodel and tear down of the current museum is the plan. The focus of the new museum is sea exploration, discoveries, and interactive exhibits. They plan on keeping the nautical history as part of the new museum.
People often asked me when the construction would begin. I often responded with "in the future". I truly had no idea but at least it made a good laugh.
May 26: East Wing Gallery
While Fridays are going to be spent working in the office doing research for the scripts, Saturdays re spent as an attendant in one of the three galleries: East Wing, Preview Center, and Steele Model Pavilion.
For the first Saturday I was working the front desk for the East Wing. The East Wing is the center piece of the museum since it contains the most history that pertains to sailing, sea exploration, and Newport Beach. But the main attraction of the East Wing is the touch tank.
The touch tank has different creatures that inhabit tide pools that are found on the coast. Some of the most popular creatures in the tank are the sea urchins and sea slugs. Talk about extreme opposites: one that's hard and spiny while the other is soft and squishy (believe me, I speak from experience). But the main rule of the touch tank is only touch using two fingers and only use a stroking motion (if someone only uses one finger they are more likely to poke). Usually a museum attendant (me) has to stand by while people are interacting with the touch tank just to be safe.
One of the most interesting observations that I noticed throughout the day is that lots of people will walk in at once and then no one would come in. It was either filled with many people or no one at all.
For the first Saturday I was working the front desk for the East Wing. The East Wing is the center piece of the museum since it contains the most history that pertains to sailing, sea exploration, and Newport Beach. But the main attraction of the East Wing is the touch tank.
The touch tank has different creatures that inhabit tide pools that are found on the coast. Some of the most popular creatures in the tank are the sea urchins and sea slugs. Talk about extreme opposites: one that's hard and spiny while the other is soft and squishy (believe me, I speak from experience). But the main rule of the touch tank is only touch using two fingers and only use a stroking motion (if someone only uses one finger they are more likely to poke). Usually a museum attendant (me) has to stand by while people are interacting with the touch tank just to be safe.
One of the most interesting observations that I noticed throughout the day is that lots of people will walk in at once and then no one would come in. It was either filled with many people or no one at all.
Friday, June 1, 2012
May 25: The New Guy
For this internship, I am working for the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum.
This museum has been in Newport Beach for 25 years with a dedication to nautical history and heritage. The organization has changed names and locations in the past couple years. It is now called ExplorOcean/ Newport Harbor Nautical Museum and the new location is in the Balboa Funzone, which has always struck me as being the center hub for the harbor.
The mission for the museum is to be dedicated to sharing the adventure, history, and natural wonders of the sea through fun and entertaining exhibits.
I have been to this museum several times before I applied to this internship so I thought I would be ready for anything that could come my way. As it turns out, I didn't really know too much about this museum especially since the ExplorOcean program was started after my last visit.
I arrive at the museum nice and early at 9am to get started (9am is early especially on summer vacation). I met with the boss to discuss what my job is going to be while I am interning for the summer. On Fridays, I will be doing research regarding the model ships in the Steele Model Pavillion. I am supposed to pick several ships and create scripts for potential re-enactments. On Saturdays, I will be working on the galleries that the museum has to open to the public.
The scripts would contain what a sailor's story might be (where did he come from, what are the skills he has), his position on the ship, what ship did he serve under, did he participate in a historical event (probably because that's why I'll pick a certain ship), and what would the overall experience be like.
The project seems pretty straightforward and like a lot of fun but there was one problem (there has to be one, right?). One of the scripts must pertain to a female character, if anyone who knows a thing about maritime history it's that women did not go aboard ships. Luckily, the ships in the gallery have a certain variety from ship type to time period so it's possible. I'm shown to computer where I can begin this research and I get started right away.
I decided to read all the descriptions of the model ships so I can pick which ships have the potential for scripts. After reading through all the descriptions, I had a good idea for the ships I wanted to pick but I wanted to know a bit more about these models so I asked the person working the gallery to give a tour while there was some time. The tour really helped since I put the description to the actual ship and I felt more confident about completing the scripts. After the tour, I spent the rest of the day doing research on one of the whaling vessels.
Outside of the research, I met most of the staff members and told them that I was the new intern. the staff was friendly and made the first day not so bad. It got to a point to where I introduced myself as the new guy when I met someone new. It was pretty sold first day and I really look forward to the rest of the summer with the museum.
This museum has been in Newport Beach for 25 years with a dedication to nautical history and heritage. The organization has changed names and locations in the past couple years. It is now called ExplorOcean/ Newport Harbor Nautical Museum and the new location is in the Balboa Funzone, which has always struck me as being the center hub for the harbor.
The mission for the museum is to be dedicated to sharing the adventure, history, and natural wonders of the sea through fun and entertaining exhibits.
I have been to this museum several times before I applied to this internship so I thought I would be ready for anything that could come my way. As it turns out, I didn't really know too much about this museum especially since the ExplorOcean program was started after my last visit.
I arrive at the museum nice and early at 9am to get started (9am is early especially on summer vacation). I met with the boss to discuss what my job is going to be while I am interning for the summer. On Fridays, I will be doing research regarding the model ships in the Steele Model Pavillion. I am supposed to pick several ships and create scripts for potential re-enactments. On Saturdays, I will be working on the galleries that the museum has to open to the public.
The scripts would contain what a sailor's story might be (where did he come from, what are the skills he has), his position on the ship, what ship did he serve under, did he participate in a historical event (probably because that's why I'll pick a certain ship), and what would the overall experience be like.
The project seems pretty straightforward and like a lot of fun but there was one problem (there has to be one, right?). One of the scripts must pertain to a female character, if anyone who knows a thing about maritime history it's that women did not go aboard ships. Luckily, the ships in the gallery have a certain variety from ship type to time period so it's possible. I'm shown to computer where I can begin this research and I get started right away.
Outside of the research, I met most of the staff members and told them that I was the new intern. the staff was friendly and made the first day not so bad. It got to a point to where I introduced myself as the new guy when I met someone new. It was pretty sold first day and I really look forward to the rest of the summer with the museum.
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