The Building Bridges project
The Building Bridges project has been a 5-year (2012-2017) partnership between the Science Museum and secondary schools from its London partner-boroughs and Reading. Through the Science Museum’s learning approach and amazing stories from our collections, The project explored the applications … Continue reading The Building Bridges project
Science capital for historians: a personal reflection
‘Not for me’. Growing up, science wasn’t something I often encountered. No one in my family worked in typically ‘sciencey’ jobs and it was rarely a topic of conversation at home. There were no science museums or science centres near … Continue reading Science capital for historians: a personal reflection
Science engagement reflection tool: Science content knowledge
From exhibitions on contemporary science to Periodic Table tea towels in the gift shop, museums and science centres are brimming with science content. For years we have provided experiences for the general public to not only enjoy, but learn from. … Continue reading Science engagement reflection tool: Science content knowledge
Science engagement reflection tool: Confidence and ownership
With amazing authentic objects, cutting edge science stories and hands on experiences, museums and science centres are a rich learning resource that spark curiosity and show how science has transformed all our lives. However, we know that visitors can face … Continue reading Science engagement reflection tool: Confidence and ownership
Science engagement reflection tool: Using everyday examples
Science, technology, engineering and maths achieve incredible things, it can be exciting, awe inspiring, even entertaining and fun, but that doesn’t mean that everyone will automatically make a personal connection with it or feel that it is something for them. … Continue reading Science engagement reflection tool: Using everyday examples
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 … Continue reading Science engagement reflection tool: Positive reinforcement
Science engagement reflection tool: Extending the experience
We have found that many people see that science is just a subject that is taught in school and don’t see that it has any relevance to them beyond the classroom. One of the ways we have been working to challenge … 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?
