Do European science exhibitions reflect the rich diversity of the cultures that have contributed to science? How is science communicated in other cultures? Professionals from Europe and the Middle East will discuss how to make science relevant to multicultural audiences and present science through a multicultural lens, in Jordan, Kuwait, Spain and the UK.
This is a reverse session so come along with your projects and contribute so that we can all learn from our collective experience!
Facilitator
Session speakers
National Outreach Manager
The British Museum
London
United Kingdom
I will discuss how my research on a single museum object is used to promote the scientific heritage of two cultures, engage new audiences, and narrate the history of science from a global perspective. I will also share how this experience is reflected in my engagement with visitors as a science communicator. The object is an intriguing manuscript called Juliana Codex, written in Arabic and Greek with an undiscovered and untold story, emblematic of a unique collision between these two cultures.
Research Department leadership (Parque de las Ciencias)
Granada
Spain
In 2004 El Parque de las Ciencias opened Al-Andalus and Science, an interactive exhibition highlighting Arab science in Andalucia. We will discuss up-dating this exhibition to engage visitors in the Andalusian and Arab tradition of scientific endeavour across many disciplines including Astronomy, Mathematics, Medicine, Optics, Botany, Navigation, Architecture and Urbanism, Physics, Geography; using local references like the Alhambra to convey the history of science to diverse audiences.
Deputy Director
The Children's Museum Jordan
When the Children’s Museum Jordan began creating our first locally designed and fabricated exhibit, we did not realize what a journey this would be. The fact that our exhibit was about biodiversity in Jordan was also a huge challenge as the topic needed to be reflected in a manner easy enough for a child to grasp – not easy! In this session, I will share the process and lessons learnt in localizing content and starting an exhibition design and fabrication industry from scratch in our country.
Head of Design
Cultural Innovations Ltd
London
United Kingdom
The Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Complex in Kuwait City, open this year, consists of a Science Museum, Natural History Museum, Space Museum and Arabic Islamic Science Museum. We will discuss the many considerations involved in creating a national complex of science museums that resonate with Kuwaiti audiences, many of whom are not museum visitors, in a region where science, to date, has not had a significant public profile and cultural sensitivities can impact upon science engagement.