The Rise and Rise of Science Festivals: An international review of organised events to celebrate science

Bultitude, K; McDonald, Dominic; Custead, Savita

doi:10.1080/21548455.2011.588851

Cited by 72 publications

(73 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…As Duensing's (2006) qualitative, long-term study of science centre practices in different countries suggests, while local practices may differ, the notion of a 'science centre' has spread internationally. Similarly, an international survey of science festivals carried out by Bultitude, McDonald, and Custead (2011) found that while such activities remain concentrated in Europe, there is significant international growth of such activities, with more than 5.6 million people worldwide taking part.…”

Section: Exploring Patterns Of Participation In Isementioning

confidence: 99%

Equity in informal science education: developing an access and equity framework for science museums and science centres

Dawson

2014

Studies in Science Education

127

115

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Informal science education (ISE) is a popular pursuit, with millions of people visiting science museums, science centres, zoos, botanic gardens, aquaria, science festivals and more around the world. Questions remain, however, about how accessible and inclusive ISE practices are. This article reviews research on participation in ISE through the lens of social inclusion and equity and suggests that, as a field of practice, ISE is exclusive, with relatively little empirical or theoretical research on equity compared to 'formal' science education. This article contributes to science education scholarship by exploring equity in ISE, bringing together international research on ISE equity issues to examine what an access and equity framework for ISE might entail. It draws on theoretical perspectives from research on social justice, social reproduction and pedagogy to adapt a three-part access framework, focusing in turn on infrastructure access, literacy and community acceptance, to develop an access and equity framework for ISE.

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Section: Exploring Patterns Of Participation In Isementioning

confidence: 99%

Equity in informal science education: developing an access and equity framework for science museums and science centres

Dawson

2014

Studies in Science Education

127

115

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“…Science festivals are defined, in part, by the fact that they are time-limited and recurring celebrations [Bultitude, McDonald and Custead, 2011]. While the relatively short duration of a festival seems an insufficient amount of time to facilitate the cross-organizational learning and growth necessary to build capacity, the recurring nature of science festivals has the potential to facilitate their ability to be a driver.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using social network analysis to document science festival partnerships

Bevc¹,

Young²,

Peterman³

2016

JCOM

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This study applies social network analysis to explore the role that one science festival has played in building the state's STEM learning ecosystem. It examines the breadth and extent of collaboration among STEM educators and their partners, reviewing past and present partnerships across 449 events during the 2015 festival. Three case studies provide in-depth illustrations of partnerships. These findings represent an important step towards (a) mapping a STEM learning ecosystem, and (b) trying to understand how a festival affects the ecosystem itself. Together, study results demonstrate how the festival has served to stimulate and foster STEM partnerships. AbstractInformal learning; Participation and science governance; Public engagement with science and technology

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“…Science festivals are a global phenomenon, and their numbers appear to be growing throughout the world [1,2]. They vary dramatically in size and scope, though are recognizable by their celebratory atmosphere, the engagement of non-specialists with scientific content, and their transient nature, thereby providing a brief concentrated and high profile focus on science engagement within the local city or region [1,3,4].…”

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confidence: 99%

Science festivals: do they succeed in reaching beyond the ‘already engaged’?

Bultitude¹

2014

JCOM

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The cultural phenomenon of ‘science festivals’ is ever expanding throughout the world, as universities, city and regional governments, and science engagement professionals alike embrace the concept of a focused ‘celebration’ of science. In the past however science festivals have been criticized for neglecting underrepresented audiences. This special issue explores the extent to which current science festivals have managed to engage with diverse publics, and identifies the key challenges facing the future of science festivals, most notably the need for deeper research into the impacts of science festivals.

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The Rise and Rise of Science Festivals: An international review of organised events to celebrate science

Cited by 72 publications

References 14 publications

Equity in informal science education: developing an access and equity framework for science museums and science centres

Equity in informal science education: developing an access and equity framework for science museums and science centres

Using social network analysis to document science festival partnerships

Science festivals: do they succeed in reaching beyond the ‘already engaged’?

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