Museum activities with scientists; creating a win:win:win situation
Our museums and science centres want to connect visitors with science through amazing exhibits and wonderful activities, but how easy is it to involve scientists in visitor activities? Furthermore, what’s in it for the scientist? It can be hard to find and engage experts, who (mainly) work in universities or research institutions; when we do, we need to help them engage successfully with our visitors in a way that is a win:win:win for scientists, museums and the public.
Our session will share and discuss our experiences in involving scientists in visitor-centric activities. Our speakers will share their own programmes and discuss the work that needs to be done to create the best experience for visitors, sharing both successes and pitfalls. We look forward to empowering each other so come and share your ideas and experiences.
Session speakers
Lead Area for Dialogue and Participation in science and collection
Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Germany
Wiebke Rössig is working on public participation in science, collections and exhibitions at the Museum of Natural History in Berlin. She developed different formats for direct dialogue with scientists and organises sessions to jointly work on questions from researchers. The ideas, campaigning and worldwide climate strike initiated by Greta Thunberg resulted in something new: the museum now opens their doors on every Friday (for the ‘Fridays for Future’) and facilitates discussion on issues of climate, nature and environmental protection. Everyone who is interested can join; both scientists/experts as visitors/students. How do you organize such dialogues between scientists and the public? Why choose this type of activity? Wiebke will share her experiences on this current issue.
Vice President, Strategic Initiatives
Catherine is the vice president Science Education & Science Experience of Ontario Science Centre. She oversees all facets of the organization's formal and informal educational activities. She will share her experiences related to ‘Research Live’. Visitors are exposed to 'real science' and they can join in real scientific studies. A beautiful experience for visitors, while simultaneously providing researchers with valuable data. Catherine will share how they arrange the application proces, how they organize science communication training and how visitors are actually connecting with the scientist. She will share both successes and lessons learned.
Senior Audience Researcher
The Science Museum Group aims to grow science capital and inspire the next generation of STEM professionals. To do this the Group use real scientists and STEM professionals in shows, workshops, career fairs and discussions to engage young people and broaden their perceptions of STEM careers. Now the question is; do these encounters really make a difference? What type of encounters are most effective?
Senior Audience Researcher Lorna MacKenzie is a involved in the development and evaluation of programs using scientists and other STEM professionals to engage young people. Currently, she is gathering research and critically evaluating the effect of these events and activities. What are the outcomes of different interactions with STEM professionals? Do these activities achieve their aims? This way, Lorna is building a body of knowledge about how the Group uses (and should use) STEM professionals in career activities with young people. At Ecsite 2020, she will share the latest results of the research.
Learning ecosystems researcher and project leader pop-upscientist
Marianne is the coordinator of the Dutch national program 'pop-up scientist'. She will briefly explain how and why VSC connects real scientists – working at universities or research institutes all over the Netherlands - to museums for family lectures. VSC offers scientists training in science communication and a small fee, museums make all practical arrangements and promote the event.
