From "fun science" to seductive science

Viladot, Pere; Stengler, Erik; Fernández, Guillermo

Abstract

Science centers and museums have undergone a great evolution in recent decades although it seems that, lately, the science museum model has been somewhat stagnant. Since the radical changes of the mid-twentieth century, it has developed towards strategies in which visitor numbers take precedence over other considerations. Alongside a school science that could be described as “boring”, a trend has emerged with a focus on “fun science” in museums, hoping to address current shortcomings. In this article we question this view and propose the idea of “seducing science” as an alternative to achieve long term impact of museum visits.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 10, 2015
• Publication Date: Nov 16, 2015
• Deposit Date: Nov 16, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 9, 2016
• Journal: Spokes
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 13
• Keywords: science centres, science communication, science education, museums
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/803163
• Publisher URL: http://www.ecsite.eu/activities-and-services/news-and-publications/digital-spokes/issue-13
• Additional Information: Additional Information : Originally published in Spokes, the digital magazine of Ecsite, the European network of science centres and museums, Issue 13, November 2015. Also published in print in the 2015 volume of selected articles “Spokes Panorama” (pp 53-62) http://www.ecsite.eu/printpdf/20672. Available on the repository here: http://eprints.uwe.ac.uk/29105/
• Contract Date: Feb 9, 2016