Science engagement reflection tool: Positive reinforcement
Research shows us that many young people who enjoy science, grow up feeling that it is not for them. STEM subjects are commonly perceived as being suited to only the very ‘brainy’ – a view often shared by both young people and their parents. In some recent research with families who are infrequent visitors to museums, we asked the adults to describe their feelings about science in three words and their responses were typically: Difficult… complicated… nerdy… for clever people… Perhaps unsurprisingly, this perception of science is difficult to identify with and discourages many visitors from engaging with STEM related … Continue reading Science engagement reflection tool: Positive reinforcement
Science engagement reflection tool: Extending the experience
We know from the science capital research that many people see that science is just a subject that is taught in school and don’t see the relevance to them beyond the classroom. One of the ways we have been working to address … Continue reading Science engagement reflection tool: Extending the experience
Science engagement reflection tool: Language
The language we use around STEM, both verbal and visual, often reinforces the idea that it is for people who aren’t ‘like me’. We know from the science capital research that our communication around STEM has a big impact on … Continue reading Science engagement reflection tool: Language
Science capital, museums and me
I’m not sure now when I first encountered science capital, but I know it was after the Wellcome Trust had published their Review of Informal Science Learning. In the recommendations it suggested that links between research and practice were strengthened … Continue reading Science capital, museums and me
Why are our museums great places for science engagement?
Whether it is on a school visit, as a family day out, or maybe through an experience online, there are many different reasons why people come to museums. With awe inspiring authentic objects, cutting-edge science stories, and hands on experiences, our … Continue reading Why are our museums great places for science engagement?
Seven questions to explore before you leave primary school
Over the past few months we, at the Science Museum, have been working in partnership with TES and the Arts Council England to develop a new resource for primary schools called 7 questions to explore before you leave primary school. … Continue reading Seven questions to explore before you leave primary school
Updating our hands-on activities
In November 2016 we launched the first wave of our new and improved hands-on activity sheets for the classroom or home. It was an exciting and proud moment for our team but not without a sense of relief at the end of a sometimes challenging development process. The resources themselves have been part of our core learning offer for many years, supporting Museum visits by allowing visitors to get hands-on and creative with science in their homes and schools. The older resources, though classics, were in need of review, especially in light of science capital research. Continue reading Updating our hands-on activities
My first impressions of science capital
I vividly remember my first museum experience, it was in the Natural History Museum, and I was amazed at the variety of life and the complex interrelated web of species. What I didn’t realise was that these experiences were important … Continue reading My first impressions of science capital
Developing our See, Link, Wonder resource to help increase engagement with science using objects and images
Science capital research has highlighted the need to create links between young people’s science experiences at school, home, and out of school (for example, in museums). Such links deepen learning, and promote the relevance of science to young people’s everyday … Continue reading Developing our See, Link, Wonder resource to help increase engagement with science using objects and images
Showcasing transferable skills through our Future Engineers programme
In October, the National Railway Museum launched Future Engineers, an annual programme aiming to spark young people’s interest in engineering. In this post, Laura discusses how an understanding of science capital shaped the Future Engineers programme and gave confidence to try a new approach. Continue reading Showcasing transferable skills through our Future Engineers programme
