7 years ago, the popular children’s show Peppa Pig released their episode “The Museum,” where the main character and family visited the museum. Why is a children’s cartoon depicting this?
Because of how universal this experience is - we all have that one memory of going to the science museum for the first time on a school trip.
In Melissa Pereira’s essay “The Importance of Taking Children to Museums,” she explains why her trips to the museum became more frequent as her kids grew.
“I found that museums did something to kids that books could not. While books inform and educate, museums, through large installations, interactive displays and the like, have the ability to capture the imagination and spark curiosity that written words on pages, cannot quite. The immersive learning experience museums and galleries provide are incomparable,” Pereira highlighted.
According to a research paper by Larry Suter (University of Michigan), students who visit science museums during their school year perform better at science and mathematics compared to their peers.
So, can museums become centers of science for students?
In this article, we will discuss how science museums benefit students and why they should become a part of the school curriculum.
Museums Are Science Centres For Students
Can museums become dynamic classrooms for science-inclined youth?
Let's start with the reopening of the British Science Museum Group in May 2021. It welcomed over 2.3 million visitors in less than a year. Their The One Collection project, for example, augmented the digital footprint of the collection by adding over 33,000 images online, while website visits surged by two-thirds.
This proves there is, in fact, an interest in science museums. But why? What exactly do these institutions offer to ignite a child's cognitive spark?
Consider the world-renowned museums:
The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C is home to iconic artifacts such as the Wright brothers' 1903 Flyer and the Apollo 11 command module. This museum stands out as the world's largest dedicated to its comprehensive collection that charts the history of air and space travel, complemented by realistic flight simulators.
Meanwhile, one of the oldest and largest science museums globally, the Deutsches Museum in Germany features the first automobile and the first jet engine.
The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Japan focuses on the latest advancements in robotics, artificial intelligence, and space exploration. What sets it apart is its interactive exhibits and the use of state-of-the-art technologies like virtual reality and holograms, making it a hub for experiencing the future of science and technology.
These museums run on one concept - hands-on learning experiences transform complex scientific concepts into tangible, interactive experiences.
For a child, manipulating an exhibit to understand gravity or engaging with a real-life application of renewable energy opens up a doorway to wonder and imagination.
The Need For Museums In The Age Of Technology
Did you know TikTok has had a massive influence on educational engagement among Gen Z?
A survey by Intelligent.com revealed that 51% of college students have turned to TikTok for academic assistance, with more than half of these students finding it more instructive than traditional classroom settings.
While TikTok and similar platforms offer a vast ocean of quick, accessible information, science museums provide something unique. But, what?
Experiential Learning: Unlike the quick, often superficial engagement with content on platforms like TikTok, science museums enable hands-on, experiential learning. This approach stimulates deeper understanding and retention of scientific concepts.
Educational Resources: Science museums are rich in educational materials, offering everything from interactive exhibits to traveling trunks and discovery classes. These resources are designed to enhance science literacy across all ages and backgrounds.
Beyond the Classroom: Museums extend learning beyond the classroom through field trips, festivals, tours, and summer camps. These experiences provide a comprehensive exploration of scientific topics in a fun, engaging setting.
Professional Development: Not limited to children, science museums also offer professional development courses, including teacher training. These programs enrich educators' knowledge and teaching skills, benefiting learners in return.
Interactive and Hands-On Exhibits: A key draw of science museums is their interactive exhibits. These allow visitors to physically engage with scientific concepts, making learning tangible and memorable.
Complementing Digital Learning: While digital platforms serve as valuable information sources, science museums enrich the educational landscape with their irreplaceable, hands-on experiences.
A ‘Phygital’ Leverage Through Museum Apps
Let's start with what phygital means.
The concept blends physical and digital experiences. Why does it matter?
The number of young mobile device users in the U.S. skyrocketing — nearly doubling for 8-year-olds between 2015 and 2019, and by the age of 12, 71% have their own smartphone. Over 42% of kids spend more than 30 hours on their phones weekly.
Phygital allows museums to bridge the gap between their rich educational resources and the digital engagement preferences of the younger generation.
Let's understand its offerings:
Personalized Educational Experiences: Phygital models allow for a personalized learning journey. Through museum apps, children can explore subjects at their own pace, focusing on areas of interest or those that require additional attention. This level of customization ensures a more effective and engaging learning experience compared to the one-size-fits-all approach of traditional education.
Encouraging Collaboration: Digital platforms facilitate collaboration among students, allowing them to connect with peers and experts worldwide. Museum apps can include features for group projects, discussions, and even global challenges, fostering a sense of community and enhancing critical thinking and communication skills.
Extending Learning Beyond Physical Visits: The phygital approach enables children to continue their exploration and learning even after leaving the museum. Through augmented reality experiences, interactive games, and educational content, museum apps can enrich the learning experience with multimedia resources that are both informative and engaging.
Cost-Effective Education: By integrating digital resources into their offerings, museums can provide a cost-effective educational experience. Digital content reduces the need for physical materials, transportation, and other expenses associated with traditional museum visits, making it more accessible to a wider audience.
How Museum Apps Can Connect With Students
So far so good. We understand the significance of phygital for our technologically advanced youth. Now the only question remains - how does an ordinary science museum like perhaps yours, become tech-savvy enough to welcome this young crowd?
The easy solution is museum mobile apps.
Here's an example from Museums22's digital museum transformations:
Situated in Amritsar, India, the Valmik Museum is a tribute to the Ramayana and its author, Sage Valmiki. Through state-of-the-art app integration, the museum offers an immersive experience that marries the traditional narrative with cutting-edge technology, making ancient wisdom accessible to the digital age.
Here are the key features of the Valmik Museum App that we helped facilitate:
App Integration for Immersive Experience: The app allows visitors to experience audiovisual content in a synchronized manner, providing a personalized and immersive journey through the epic tale of the Ramayana. This feature caters to the diverse linguistic needs of visitors, ensuring that the sage's teachings resonate with a global audience.
Seamless Audio-Visual Synchronization: Precision in synchronizing audio commentary with visual content is a hallmark of the app, enhancing the narrative coherence and immersive quality of the museum experience. This synchronization ensures that visitors are fully engaged with the story of Valmiki, irrespective of their starting point in the museum.
Backend CMS and Analytics Dashboard: A robust content management system allows for agile content updates and customization, while the analytics dashboard provides insights into visitor behavior. This data-driven approach helps curators optimize the visitor experience, tailoring it to meet evolving preferences and interests.
User Journey Insights and App Analytics: Detailed analytics on app usage offer a window into how visitors interact with the exhibits. This information is crucial for refining content delivery, enhancing language options, and ultimately, boosting visitor engagement.
Are Museums A Better Science Teacher?
In public schools, there are state standards … and to some extent that probably constrains the creativity of educators," notes Adam Fagen, a spokesperson for the Association of Science and Technology Centers representing about 400 science centers across the US.
However, teachers are using museums to solve this problem.
A prime example of this innovative approach to science education can be seen in the efforts of a Manhattan-based museum. The museum not only trains approximately 4,000 teachers annually on crucial subjects like the human body, evolution, and climate change but also pioneers in professional development programs.
One such groundbreaking initiative is the Master of Arts in Teaching Earth Sciences Residency. This program, catering specifically to "high-needs" middle and high schools, offers a tuition-free, 15-month intensive course that equips educators to teach Earth science to grades 7-12. Since its inception in 2012, over 150 teachers have graduated
Therefore, the short answer to the question - "are museums a better science teacher?" is no.
But coupled with scientific resources, hands-on learning, and regular museum visits; science teachers can bring the wonders of science closer to students.
Museums prove that with the right mix of creativity, and educational rigor, science teaching can transcend traditional limitations, inspiring both educators and students alike.
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