A Rationale for a Science Museum

Hands‐On Math and Art Exhibition Promoting Science Attitudes and Educational Plans

“…It was clear that the lowest achieving group appreciated the exhibition alternative for Education Research International 9 math learning compared to learning math at school. This makes sense from the cognitive perspective as, according to Oppenheimer [9], manipulation of materials supports understanding abstract mathematical concepts and makes math more meaningful, which is especially shown to benefit diverse learners [15,18]. From an emotional perspective, the different kind of learning context might promote a decrease of anxiety, which has been shown often to be related to math learning and to the manipulating of numbers and problem-solving, which may be especially so for students with mathematical learning difficulties [16].…”

“…Children have to be able to use their senses and hands-on experimentation in order to test their thinking, especially at the concrete operational stage [7]. The importance of own exploration and experience is supported by the principle of learning by doing by Dewey [8] and the key of science center pedagogy, hands-on activity by Oppenheimer [9]. In case of math learning, manipulation of materials in multiple ways allows abstract mathematical concepts to become understandable, creative problem-solving to become possible, and mathematics to become meaningful [10].…”

Scientists, Engineers and the Society of Free Choice: Enrollment as Policy and Practice in Swedish Science and Technology Education 1960–1990

“…Frank Oppenheimer, founder of the trendsetting The Exploratorium in San Francisco stated in 1968 that its main purpose was to educate the public and serve as an extra resource for schools in their teaching of these subjects (Oppenheimer 1968).…”

Narrative as a learning tool in science centers: potentials, possibilities and merits

“…The purpose of the development of science centers was to create hands-on exhibits in which visitors could explore freely and construct their own understandings about various scientific phenomena. The goal of the science centers was to show to the public "the wonders of science" by presenting a "forest of scientific phenomena" for visitors to interact with [35] and eventually to increase their interest and understanding of science. Usually, visitors are presented with scientific phenomena through exhibits, where they can manipulate, read, push, pull, and in general use their senses [37].…”

“…Usually, visitors are presented with scientific phenomena through exhibits, where they can manipulate, read, push, pull, and in general use their senses [37]. The exhibits in these science centers are designed upon the constructivist theoretical paradigm, where visitors are provided with opportunities to explore interactive exhibits without any structural guidance but their own curiosity [35].…”