Interactive Pathways: Designing Accessible Museum Experiences

This research examines the educational strategies employed by the Columbia Museum of Art in addition to similar institutions to explore how museums can optimize their educational impact on K–12 students by applying human-centered design strategies that prioritize accessibility, engagement, and real user needs. Many museums struggle to fully serve K–12 students due to physical, financial, and perceptual barriers. While digital platforms have expanded reach in some institutions, others prioritize in-person experiences and community engagement. This research uses artificial intelligence tools such as supervised data to accelerate and enhance the analytical process. The study evaluates these approaches through the lens of human-centered design principles, offering practical implementation guidelines for museums seeking to improve their educational impact on young visitors. AI-enhanced research methodologies facilitate this analysis, evaluating visitor engagement, accessibility, and the impact of interactive learning tools on K–12 education.