Designing museum exhibits that facilitate visitor reflection and discussion

Abstract

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Storytelling, Science, and Religion: Promoting Reflection and Conversation about Societal Issues

“…), and to provide opportunities for authentic participation (Simon , ; Skydsgaard et al. ). The project team conceived of our work as creating a social environment for participants to learn through joint construction of meanings (Perry et al.…”

“…In particular, Science & Religion programs explored approaches to prompting reflection and conversation among participants as a means to encouraging greater understanding (Roberts ; Skydsgaard et al. ; Walton et al. ; West ).…”

“…With challenging or controversial topics, stories can establish a safe space for considering and contributing ideas in a social context (Kelly ; Long and Ostman ; Nielsen ; Pedretti ; Skydsgaard et al. ).…”

“…Our Science & Religion programs were developed and evaluated in the context of museums' goals to be inclusive of multiple and diverse audiences (Hirzy 2008), to serve a role as community conveners (Institute of Museum and Library Services 2016), to address relevant and important issues (Davis et al 2003;Nielsen 2015;Reich et al 2007), and to provide opportunities for authentic participation (Simon 2010(Simon , 2018Skydsgaard et al 2016). The project team conceived of our work as creating a social environment for participants to learn through joint construction of meanings (Perry et al 1996, 26).…”

“…In particular, Science & Religion programs explored approaches to prompting reflection and conversation among participants as a means to encouraging greater understanding (Roberts 2013;Skydsgaard et al 2016;Walton et al 2016;West 2013). The team was inspired by previous work we had done, which developed both programming resources and facilitation techniques to support open-ended conversations focusing on public audiences' experiences and values, validating their experiences and opinions, and identifying a role for them in making decisions about emerging technologies (Ostman 2017;Ostman et al 2013).…”