About Our Consulting Services.

ILE’s principal, Mac West, has devoted his life to informal learning, going back to the “museum” he created in his parents’ basement in Appleton, Wisconsin, when he was 11 years old. He is dedicated to the success and importance of multiple ways of learning and experiencing the world. ILE thus is dedicated to establishing, improving, and ensuring the sustainability of informal learning organizations and opportunities.

We work with established and emerging organizations of many sorts to help them ensure stability and sustainability, community relevance, and clear and contemporary messaging. This is done through on-site planning initiatives, including research and standards measurements, executive consultation sessions, and numerous highly focused planning, assessment, and evaluation initiatives.

Click here to contact Mac about his consulting services.

Additional Resources.

Clients

• Akron Zoological Park
  Akron, OH
  Conducted feasibility study for a proposed downtown aquarium.
• Alpena River Center
  Alpena, MI
  Conducted feasibility study for an interpretative center on the Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Ann Arbor Hands on Museum
  Ann Arbor, MI
  Developed master plan for audience expansion.
• Association of Science-Technology Centers
  Washington, DC
  Facilitated part of a long-range planning program.
• Atomic Heritage Foundation
  Washington, DC
  Participant in the planning team working on a traveling exhibition on the Manhattan Project.
• Audubon Institute
  New Orleans, LA
  Developed exhibit and program plan for the Audubon Insectarium.
• Belmont Bay Science Center
  Woodbridge, VA
  Developed the experience plan for proposed new science center.
• Bishop Museum
  Honolulu, HI
  Planned for program and facility expansion with focus on space science.
• Brookfield Zoo
  Brookfield, IL
  Developed comprehensive master plan for the full revitalization of the zoo supported by a major capital campaign.
• Bruce Mau Design
  Toronto, ON
  Developed parameters for and comparables to the proposed Mississippi River Experience in New Orleans and sponsored by Tulane University.
• Buffalo Museum of Science
  Buffalo, NY
  Worked on restructuring efforts, developing new initiatives, recasting the visitor experiences, and developing a long-range plan.
• California Academy of Sciences
  San Francisco, CA
  Developed plan for management of public programs.
• California State University
  Chico
  Provided content development services for the new Gateway Science Museum (Northern California Natural History Museum) on the Chico campus.
• Center for American Archaeology
  Kampsville, IL
  Developed strategic plan for the repositioning of this center which sponsors and hosts research on the Native Americans of the Illinois and Mississippi River Valleys.
• Chicago Academy of Sciences
  Chicago, IL
  Developed exhibit master plan for the new Lincoln Park museum facility.
• Chelan County
  Washington
  Under contract to TCF Architecture ILE provided a market research and analysis for the interpretive program and facilities of the Rocky Reach Dam on the Columbia River.
• Children's Museum of Oswego
  Oswego, NY
  Conducted feasibility study for children's museum in upstate New York.
• Children's Museum of Utah
  Salt Lake City, UT
  Identified and selected exhibition designers and fabricators for the new Discovery Center.
• Children's Museum of Yuma County
  Yuma, AZ
  Conducted feasibility study for this city on the U.S.-Mexico border.
• Cincinnati Museum of Natural History
  Cincinnati, OH
  Conducted strategic planning for changes of programming in Union Terminal.
• City Museum
  St. Louis, MO
  Assessed management, marketing, finance and program efforts and plans required by the Missouri Finance Development Board; provided the outline of a strategic planning process.
• City of Brewer
  ME
  Prepared an initial feasibility study for a proposed Penobscot River Discovery Museum. Prepared a plan for the "Brewer Waterfront Historical Trail" to encourage visitors to see the local natural and cultural history.
• City of Henderson
  NV
  Contracted to AMS Planning and Research for the development of the feasibility study for the Henderson Space & Science Center which opened in 2011.
• City of Rockville
  MD
  Conducted the feasibility study for a science center/complex in Rockville and assisted with initial implementation.
• City of Salt Lake City
  UT
  Developed a marketing strategy for the cultural organizations located adjacent to the east-west light rail line.
• City of Sioux Falls
  SD
  Assessed the current operations and program potentials of the Kirby Science Discovery Center.
• Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico
  San Juan, PR
  Developed programming for this major land conservation agency.
• COSI
  Columbus, OH
  Prepared grant proposal; researched museum field initiatives.
• Dakota Science Center
  Grand Forks, ND
  Developed strategic plan for this young science center.
• Dallas Museum of Natural History
  Dallas, TX
  Conducted an in-depth evaluation of education programming.
• Dawber and Company
  Bloomfield Hills, MI
  Assisted Dawber in assessing the audience projections for a major traveling exhibition.
• Denver Museum of Nature and Science
  Denver, CO
  Advised on planning and implementing the Space Science Initiative project.
• Detroit Science Center
  Detroit, MI
  Conducted an intensive study that resulted in board reorganization and major physical redevelopment.
• DinoDon
  Media, PA
  Prepared experience description for the EarthQuest Institute, a proposed environmental/paleontology attraction near Houston.
• East Tennessee Discovery Center
  Knoxville, TN
  Prepared master plan for the proposed expansion and relocation.
• ECHO (formerly Lake Champlain Basin Science Center)
  Burlington, VT
  Reviewed operational proformas and assisted in developing a financial model for museum expansion. Developed a strategic plan for the next five years.
• ExhibitsUSA
  Kansas City, MO
  Provided evaluation services to the NEH On The Road program.
• Firsthand Technology, Inc.
  Seattle, WA
  Assisted in development of a traveling exhibition promoting dental health and hygiene supported by the National Institutes of Health.
• Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
  Fort Worth, TX
  Conducted initial planning for a new paleontology exhibition gallery.
• Franklin Institute
  Philadelphia, PA
  Conducted assessment of the Franklin's traveling exhibition program.
• Fullbright Commission
  Sri Lanka
  As a Fulbright Specialist, ILE developed the initial plans for the establishment of the Sri Lanka National Science Center
• Fresno Metropolitan Museum
  Fresno, CA
  Conducted preliminary planning for the California State Agriculture Museum.
• Garfield County
  Escalante, UT
  Developed the feasibility study for a new locally-focused science museum and center to be located near the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
• Gettysburg National Battlefield Museum Foundation
  Washington, DC
  Assisted in early stages of development of new museum.
• Howard Hughes Medical Institute
  Chevy Chase, MD
  Provided broad consultant support to the Science Education in Museums grant program.
• Illinois State Museum
  Springfield, IL
  Worked on the master plan for the Museum's expansion.
• Ilulissat Icefjord Station: An Arctic Experience
  Ilulissat, Greenland
  Planning for interpretation of UNESCO World Heritage site in west Greenland.
• Interactive Learning Center
  Boulder, CO
  Conducted a feasibility study for a new informal science experience in downtown Boulder proved to be infeasible.
• International Museum of Art and Science
  McAllen, TX
  Assisted with planning new science programming and developing a Rio Grande River initiative.
• Invention Factory
  Trenton, NJ
  Developed an economic and feasibility plan and economic impact study for a new museum of science, technology, and invention.
• ITA Explore
  Tel Aviv, Israel
  Represented this Israel-based educational film producer as it expanded its motion-base film market into the U.S.
• Joint Oceanographic Institutions
  Washington, DC
  Conducted research on the traveling exhibitions industry.
• Kalamazoo Valley Museum
  Kalamazoo, MI
  Assessment of the current performance of museum associated with Kalamazoo Community College.
• Koshland Science Museum
  Washington, DC
  Developed strategies for placing exhibitions in additional venues.
• Living Planet Aquarium
  Murray, UT
  Conducted a feasibility study for a new aquarium in Salt Lake City.
• Lucent Technologies Foundation
  Murray Hill, NJ
  Managed a multi-year initiative which granted funds to science center-based youth science programs.
• Macomb Children's Science Museum
  Mount Clemens, MI
  Conducted a feasibility study for new children's museum.
• Madera County
  Chowchilla, CA
  Provided content development for the initial set of exhibitions in the Fossil Discovery Center.
• Magoffin Home State Historic Site
  ElPaso, TX
  ILE worked with CB Services to develop a comprehensive site plan for this historic building.
• McWane Center (formerly Discovery 2000)
  Birmingham, AL
  Coordinated planning for exhibition development and collections management for a new facility.
• Meridian/Windfall Productions and the University of Oregon
  Eugene, OR
  Provided consulting services in the development of a PBS series devoted to research on cold and the search for absolute zero.
• Minotaur Mazes
  Seattle, WA
  Provided analysis of an installation at Jamestown, VA.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium
  Monterey, CA
  Conducted research in support of the aquarium's marine conservation education outreach initiative.
• Mount Vernon Museum of Incandescent Lighting
  Baltimore, MD
  Prepared an operating proforma for collection of lighting equipment.
• Museum of Discovery
  Little Rock, AR
  Prepared a master plan for the reorganization and reprogramming of all the museum's public spaces.
• Museum of Discovery and Science
  Fort Lauderdale, FL
  Appraised existing programs; strategic planning for future museum programs and facility expansion.
• Museum of History and Industry
  Seattle, WA
  Developed the strategic master plan for the move of the museum to a new facility.
• Museum of Science and Industry
  Chicago, IL
  Organized charette as the museum developed plans for reorganizing its program offerings and upgrading its visitor experience.
• Muskogee STEAM Center
  Muskogee, OK
  Prepared and facilitated the remote board meeting devoted to the institutional organization and development of this emerging children’s science center.
• National Aquarium
  Baltimore, MD
  Worked on exhibition development; research on exhibition technology for Wings In the Water exhibition.
• National Aquarium
  Washington, DC
  Assessed educational needs for the aquarium in downtown Washington, DC.
• National Aviation Hall of Fame Learning Center
  Dayton, OH
  Provided services to the exhibits and public programs departments
• National Flight Interpretive Center
  Everett, WA
  
  Conducted an initial review of the assumptions and operating estimates for the proposed National Flight Interpretive Center (NFIC) to be located at Paine Field in Everett, Washington.
• National Geographic Society
  Washington, DC
  Worked on the development and production of a large-format film Sea Monsters.
• National Institutes of Health
  Bethesda, MD
  Identified and reviewed all NIH science education programs and recommended evaluation strategies as a part of the national FCCSET program.
• National Inventors Hall of Fame
  Akron, OH
  Conducted research for long-range education program and exhibit development, including focus group research and audience surveys.
• National Law Enforcement Museum
  Washington, DC
  Worked on the preliminary education program for this developing museum.
• National Model Aviation Museum
  Muncie, IN
  Provided master plan for museum improvements.,
  Provided master plan for museum improvements.
• National Museum of Military History
  Manassas, VA
  Conducted audience research and development of the first array of educational experiences.
• National Museum of Natural History
  Washington, DC
  Developed programs and educational materials to accompany the Galapagos 3-D IMAX film.
• National Parks and Conservation Association
  Washington, DC
  Developed baseline information on the status and success of public education efforts.
• Natural Heritage Trust
  Albany, NY
  Helped a broad-based advisory committee develop plans for a world-class river and estuary research and education institute to be located in the Hudson River valley.
• National Science Museums Thailand
  Bangkok, Thailand
  Part of international team that reviewed the multi-institution National Science Museum.
• Nature Center at Shaker Lakes
  Cleveland, OH
  Advised on the center's first strategic planning process.
• Neville Public Museum
  Green Bay, WI
  ILE developed a current performance assessment in preparation for the development of a master plan
• New Mexico Museum of Natural History
  Albuquerque, NM
  Advised on implementation of master plan.
• Newark Museum
  Newark, NJ
  Worked on basic plan and implementation strategy for reinstalling the natural history collections and creating an interactive science gallery.
• North Carolina Museum of Life and Science
  Durham, NC
  Developed plan for interactive zoo program (BioQuest), including facilitating the national planning session. Conducted research on mathematics exhibitions.
• North Caroline Museum of Natural Science
  Raleigh, NC
  With Market Feasibility Advisors we developed projections of the impact of the Dueling Dinosaurs unique fossils on the economics and programs of the museum
• Omaha Children's Museum
  Omaha, NE
  Completed master plan for the 5,000 sq. feet "Owen Science Center" exhibit gallery.
• Oregon Zoo
  Portland, OR
  Worked with the Zoo and the California Condor Recovery Program on an educational initiative about reintroduction of an endangered species.
• Paleontological Research Institution
  Ithaca, NY
  Conducted feasibility study, including rejection of a hospital as a museum site, and developed a preliminary program for a new public museum.
• Pennsylvania Veterans Museum
  Media, PA
  Contributed to the feasibility study for this museum in suburban Philadelphia.
• Planetario Alpha
  Monterrey, Mexico
  Prepared a master plan for reinvention as a more general science center.
• Proctor's Theatre
  Schenectady, NY
  Prepared an initial feasibility study for the addition of a large-format theater.
• Riveredge Nature Center
  Newburg, WI
  Conducted a market study for rural nature center preparing for both program and facility expansion.
• Rochester Museum and Science Center
  Rochester, NY
  Conducted research on signature/iconic exhibits in preparation for major exhibition development.
• Rocky Flats Cold War Museum
  Arvada, CO
  Prepared the feasibility study for the proposed new museum interpreting the site of a Cold War nuclear weapons parts production facility.
• Roger Williams Park Zoo
  Providence, RI
  Worked with staff to obtain support for exhibitions of local species in the new education facility.
• Royal Alberta Museum
  Edmonton, AB
  Conducted research for a possible traveling exhibition gallery and program.
• Royal Tyrrell Museum
  Drumheller, AB
  Developed an interpretive plan for eleven fossil sites across the province.
• Saudi Aramco
  Saudi Arabia
  Provided content development for the exhibitions in the Energy Science Center in Dhahran and the Prince Salman Science Oasis in Riyadh.
• Science and Discovery Center
  Horseheads, NY
  Prepared a business and strategic plan for this small science museum.
• Shanghai Natural History Museum
  Shanghai, China
  Exhibition development and content verification.
• SEE/Bronx
  New York, NY
  Developed master plan for proposed new science center.
• Shaftesbury Films
  Toronto, ON
  Consulted on a large-format film and accompanying programming related to brain function and neurophysiology.
• Soo Locks Children's Museum
  Sault Ste. Marie, MI
  Conducted feasibility study for children's museum in northern Michigan.
• Southwest Heritage, Inc.
  Naples, FL
  Conducted feasibility study for redevelopment of the historic Naples Depot into a museum.
• Space Science Institute
  Boulder, CO
  Consulted on exhibition design and educational programming for the traveling exhibitions.
• State of Utah
  Salt Lake City, UT
  Conducted feasibility study for a career awareness program, subsequently incorporated into the Children's Museum of Utah.
• Texas Historical Commission
  Austin, TX
  Completed a master interpretative plan for the Magoffin Home State Historic Site in El Paso, TX.
• Texas Tech University Museum
  Lubbock, TX
  Assisted with exhibit planning, staff and student training, and proposal development for the new paleontology gallery.
• The Dawood Foundation
  Karachi, Pakistan
  ILE is providing contracted advisory services for the development of the MagnifiScience Centre in central Karachi
• The Heritage Center at Red Cloud Indian School
  Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, SD
  Development of implementation plan for existing master plan.
• Turtle Bay Exploration Park
  Redding, CA
  Developed a comprehensive master exhibition and education program plan for a $50-million project.
• Tulane University
  New Orleans, LA
  Contributed to a strategic feasibility plan for the proposed Mississippi River Center, a research and public education facility focused on the culture and environment of the lower Mississippi River.
• Union Station Kansas City
  Kansas City, MO
  Worked with staff on preparation of AAM accreditation documentation.
• Universe Partners
  Salt Lake City, UT
  Developed strategies for the production of a large-format film and educational programs featuring the theoretical astrophysics of English scientist Stephen Hawking.
• University of Minnesota
  Minneapolis, MN
  Researched traveling exhibitions to assist the Bell Museum of Natural History in determining an exhibition rental strategy.
• University of North Carolina
  Chapel Hill, NC
  Worked with the Search Committee to identify candidates for the Director of the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. Also researched approaches to the presentation of ongoing scientific research to the public in anticipation of expansion of the facility.
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  Chicago, IL
  Created the master plan for a new Visitor Center to be located adjacent to the Chicago Lock at the mouth of the Chicago River.
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  New Orleans, LA
  Developed the initial master plan for a public interpretive center for the Atchafalaya Basin Project in Morgan City, LA.
• U.S. Department of Energy
  Oak Ridge, TN
  Prepared an interpretive plan for the Manhattan Project facilities and events in Oak Ridge. Developed a followup interpretative plan for the signature facilities at Oak Ridge as well as the larger Oak Ridge Manhattan Project story.
• Utah State Department of Economic Development
  Salt Lake City, UT
  Developed the Business Master Plan for the Utah State FairPark.
• Washington Pavilion of Arts and Sciences
  Sioux Falls, SD
  Analyzed the operations of the multifaceted cultural center to provide guidance to the City of Sioux Falls.
• WEDU/Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI)
  Tampa, FL
  Helped develop a strategic plan for the co-location of the PBS station to MOSI's campus.
• Windsor, ON
  Ontario, City Government
  Contributed to a feasibility study for a new science center.
• Zoo Atlanta
  Atlanta, GA
  Conducted intensive audience research, and provided program development, long-range planning, and fundraising assistance for the Conservation Education and Research Center.
• Zoological Society of Florida
  Miami, FL
  Conducted basic research on zoo visitors and the state of Hispanic education; facilitated a national invitational workshop; worked with staff to develop a comprehensive plan for the Zoo's Tropical Americas exhibition and program.