issue 90 spring 2012
NEWSLETTER : CONTENTS >>>
Kate Steiner - ‘Lates with MasterCard’: Enticing adult visitors the grown-up world of the Science Museum after hours page 02 By Kate Steiner, In all venues, one senses a genuine respect for Science Museum, London, UK visitors’ opinions and great skill and inventiveness in Antonia Caola and Samuela Caliari - using audience understanding to engage adults at Science, art, food and books: What could be more adult - or Italian - than that? points of personal and emotional resonance. Entice: To allure esp. insidiously or adroitly page 04 There is also an interesting thread of transformation (original etymology ‘to set on fire’) woven among these contributions, of turning the Per-Edvin Persson - In Memoriam: If in the past we’ve seen adults as a natural and traditional museum or science centre into Tiiu Sild (1958-2012) page 04 stable section of our audience (a steady third in the something else - whether a literary salon, debate Science Museum’s case), then economic, chamber, late-night club, or in the moving case of Marjolein van Breemen and Meie van demographic and market pressures have caused Miraikan, a space to think communally about great Laar - A big debate: Engaging young many of us to work much more proactively to human tragedy. And it’s noticeable that most adults at Science Center NEMO page 05 attract adults. In our own recent Audience Plan venues discussed here are very comfortable with we’ve identified independent adults as the most broad and multiple approaches to our subjects, Cláudia Velhas - Science inquiry after 60 significant growth audience, and while cherishing including perspectives from art, literature and page 07 our family and school audiences (which are near business as well as science. Perhaps, finally, we are market capacity), we recognise the need to Isao Yamasaki - Japanese exhibition standing up for science being at the heart of helps visitors tackle big questions reposition ourselves as a cultural magnet for adults. human culture and creativity. page 08
Listings page 09
News from Ecsite page 11
Courses, conferences, competitions page 12
Adults flock en masse to ‘Lates’ events, Science Museum, London, UK
This Ecsite Quarterly theme shows how far Europe’s One last thought is that the case studies here are museums and science centres have come in finding mainly programmatic and ‘interpreter-led’. Events Ecsite Executive Office ways to ignite the passion and interest of adult programmes lend themselves to innovation as they audiences. There are fascinating similarities between T +32 2 649 7383 are essentially ephemeral and any experimental F +32 2 647 5098 the articles: In particular, as a veteran audience blunders can be quickly buried and forgotten, but email: [email protected] advocate, I was heartened by their sophisticated can we get the same audience appeal and relevance www.ecsite.eu understanding of the interests and concerns of into our more permanent physical exhibitions? This is Newsletter contributors: specific audiences—whether that’s an older person’s the essential focus and concern of the Science Please contact Emma Wadland, Editor need to reconnect with intellectual and social Museum’s Audience Research group and I suggest [email protected] networks, a teenager’s need to build identities and that with the benefit of its research and development informed career choices or young adults’ obsession function within exhibition development, the allure of For information about upcoming issues with social media and their own social lives. our adult offer can only soar. and how to contribute, see the Ecsite website under News > Newsletters
Kate Steiner, Guest Editor of this edition Next issue: of the Ecsite Quarterly Newsletter, Inspiring careers in science and is a Learning and Publishing Executive technology at the Science Museum in London, UK. 01 INSPIRING ADULT VISITORS
‘Lates with MasterCard’: the grown-up world of the Science Museum after hours
by the month, yet there is no marketing. What (in-house comedy), big-venue theatre tours and was the thinking behind this phenomenon and drama. And with a 15-year history of children’s how did it all go so right? sleepovers, we had the infrastructure to manage masses roaming our museum after hours (though generally not with a beer in hand). Background Above all, we remain convinced that facilitating There is a palpable buzz among the half-mile fun, challenge, excitement, and provocation along Adults are a vital segment of the Science Museum queue of twenty-somethings outside London’s with science content is an effective way to engage audience - currently 30 per cent come without Science Museum. The last of the day-visitors have people with the museum and its subjects. In fact, children and market research spotlights them as trooped out, the sounds of a band tuning up are our research on the nature of ‘Life-Enhancing our biggest opportunity for growth. But we aim to seeping into the street and the crowd is chatting, Experiences’ within a museum suggests that fun is be a broad cultural venue, which means breaking laughing, fidgeting in anticipation of... what? not just an adjunct but a necessary first step to down barriers for a culturally active, mainly non- On the final Wednesday of every month the Science learning because it puts people in a receptive science demographic, and switching on a younger Museum transforms for ‘Lates with MasterCard’, a state to think and absorb. audience to science. night of performance, events, dancing, drinking, Through twenty years of Audience Research we socializing and science enjoyed by around 5,000 have a fairly good picture of what this audience is adults, almost all of whom (88 per cent) are within Vision like: Choosy, discriminating and quick to leave if the elusive 18-35-year-old category. By 2009 the concept for ‘Lates’ took shape: bored. Young adults enjoy novelty and intriguing Walk in - there’s no charge - and you’re treated to design, but they are also very information-hungry - • It had to be after hours - young adult audiences live music, snacks, three bars, a science pub quiz, as long as the information is given in exciting ways and family audiences simply don’t mix and a and speed-dating (geeks need love too), while (i.e. not just words on a wall). In general, young night programme freed the museum to become upstairs a silent disco progresses eerily among the adults are quite like children, in that they want to a different space, with an exclusively adult vibe. planes of the Flight gallery. These are merely the play, but they hate having children around while staples of nights with seriously adult science • It couldn’t just be the museum at a different they’re doing it. We needed a programme that met themes – sexually transmitted diseases, bio- time - ‘Lates’ had to have a unique and vibrant the needs of this demanding crowd. terrorism, and surgery, for example. programme and personality. While themes Fortunately by 2010 we’d built up experience of Our eclectic themes mix well with talks by the should follow (and exploit) our current cultural such a programme through our Dana events - an world’s top scientists including James Lovelock on offer, the format had to be mixed, quirky, and evening programme of controversial science climate change, Richard Dawkins and James different each month to match an audience topics, experimental formats, complete with a bar Dyson on the subject of genius, as well as more that is curious, experimental, and social. The and food. At the same time our pioneering off-the-wall happenings; you might be ambushed programme had to target non-science Learning teams were broadening experimental by actors dressed in nuclear protection suits, find audiences and reinvent the traditional image of performance-based interpretation - Punk Science yourself heckling our in-house Punk Science science museums as places for school groups. comedy team or join a workshop to make your own sex education film. Stitch and Bitch knitting club rub shoulders with the British Kendo team while 300 self-conscious teenagers line up for a master class with Dr Dance (whose day-job is in a university psychology department modelling the attractiveness of body language). Three years after its birth ‘Lates’ is now an established part of London’s young cultural scene. In 2011 MasterCard came on-board and began a three-year partnership, offering support for ‘Lates’ as part of their overarching campaign ‘Priceless London’. ‘Priceless London’ gives cardholders access to exclusive offers and extraordinary events and experiences, including, for example, bookable places at the ‘Lates’ MasterCard Bar. ‘Lates’ evenings are crowded, noisy and alive, the atmosphere is electric and audiences are growing ‘Lates’: Social network marketing on Facebook and Twitter draws adults to the Science Museum in droves 02 INSPIRING ADULT VISITORS
• ‘Lates’ had to be free (at least at point of entry - there are secondary charges for food and drink, for example). Young audiences are not usually rich and - driven mainly by social motives could just as easily meet in pubs, union bars and other free venues. • Marketing was accomplished entirely through social media or word of mouth. ‘Lates’ recognizes that its target generation organises their lives through social media which, in turn, revolves around friendship groups (most come to ‘Lates’ with 3-5 friends).
Growing success: audiences Nearly 2,000 visitors came to the January 2009 ‘Lates’ pilot based on minimal media presence. The The ‘Lates’ silent disco takes over the Science Museum’s Flight Gallery experiment confirmed that ‘Lates’ was logistically possible and had huge potential. Our monthly museum as a place that had a lot to offer in The programme has stimulated interest among programme developed from there. Attendance has engaging the public with their work. Evaluation cultural partners keen to be associated (Guardian grown from 2,000 to nearly 5,000 in February 2012. showed they felt the science came through strongly podcasting, BBC documentary filming). Other audience data is even more interesting. More even though events were fun and light-hearted. The attractiveness of success is perhaps best shown than 60 per cent of the ‘Lates’ audience are women, Recognising the opportunity to reach the ‘Lates’ by the programme’s funding history. As an nearly half had not previously been to the Science demographic has also encouraged fruitful interesting experiment ‘Lates’ was initially funded Museum, and the vast majority would come again (94 commercial and cultural partnerships in ways that internally and then began attracting sponsorship and per cent) or recommend it to a friend (97 per cent). tend to benefit everyone. For example, working with support for single or themed groups of nights. The the Japanese embassy brought varied ‘Lates’ 2011 MasterCard partnership underlined the offerings — Giant origami, Japanese drummers, programme’s success, both ratifying the team’s Growing success: sushi — but also a new audience to the Museum’s creative approach and linking ‘Lates’ with other Partners, presenters, Japan Car exhibition. cultural events in the Capital through MasterCard’s sponsors and staff People have been generous with in-kind donations. ‘Priceless London’ initiative. ‘Lates’ works for other interested parties as well as For example, a brewery proud of being originally And finally, ‘Lates’ is very popular with an often- audiences. Evaluation showed that the programme powered by a Watt engine created the ‘Late James forgotten group - the staff who work on it. Anthony also had an impact on presenters and visiting Watt beer’ and donated to the ‘Lates’ celebrating an Richards, who created and manages the series, scientists, giving them a positive impression of the exhibition of ‘Watt’s workshop’. points out that ‘Lates’ staff come from the same demographic as the audience so understand what will excite and enthuse them. He acknowledges that In-depth evaluation of two ‘Lates’ nights (using observation, in-depth interviews, on-line and once the Museum approved the overall concept, they telephone surveys and Twitter/Facebook analysis) gives a fuller picture of what works for didn’t ask for onerous programme approvals which audiences. Here are the top tips for success: allowed creative freedom for the team. ‘Lates’ is cool • Be a bit ‘bonkers’: events that are fun, novel, or unexpected encourage audiences to to work on as well as to visit. participate because there’s no precedent and they can’t do anything wrong. “I think the museum is encouraging people being bonkers and thinking and acting in a bonkers way. It’s all about fun and about thinking in more creative ways.” The future • Put on a variety of risky events: a big range of activities - especially provocative, bold, At the moment ‘Lates’ is largely for people ‘in the novel ones dealing with sensitive topics - made visitors feel like adults.“You’re taken seriously know’ connected by social media and friendship and not made to feel like a stupid teenager...” groups. We like it like that - it gives the night its ‘club-like’ feel. But what happens if nights get too • Cater to groups: Involving groups of friends helps everyone participate (even the shy) and big? Will the atmosphere suffer and can the current mass events (i.e. all visitors challenged to collect STD wristbands) work well. “We’ve come infrastructure cope? Anthony Richards says numbers here together so we want to do the activities together...” are reaching a tipping point, but that this simply • Maximise ‘geek chic’: Make learning desirable and trendy and visitors see it as integral to means reinventing the way we manage and deliver the night (evaluation showed that different types of learning, discussion and dialogue the events. We want ‘Lates’ to remain as happened across all types of events).“It’s a real geek chic event where geeky topics are made unpredictable, dynamic and surprising as the fun and it’s encouraged and trendy to learn.” people who attend. 03 INSPIRING ADULT VISITORS
Science, art, food and books: What could be more adult - or Italian - than that?
By Antonia Caola and Samuela Caliari, Creativity, empathy and infinity have been some science which is made possible by changing Museo delle Scienze (MUSE), Trento, Italy of the chosen topics. At the beginning of the seats “a la” speed dating. event, a reader recites some passages from the Participation in the afternoon session is not book and then a scientist and an artist share compulsory for attending the dinner, and vice their perceptions and experiences, often sharing versa; people can choose to freely follow one or through free association. People can participate both events. One of the main ideas behind and share their points of view with questions or Crossing Pages is to make libraries, museums, - if too shy - with messages via SMS and local art galleries, etc., livelier. Turning these Bluetooth. The setting is informal with locations into attractive social meeting places participants munching on aperitifs. The helps adults interact in unexpected and The Crossing Pages project is an opportunity for informality may seem small, but it is essential to participative ways. Each date is a unique event, people to gather and share their impressions an atmosphere conducive to adults. Sharing prompting people to tell their friends, “I was after reading a book. These science-art Literary drinks or food immediately makes people feel there.” Crossing Pages never really comes to an Salons gather a scientist, an artist, a reader and comfortable and relaxed. end, either – in addition to a dedicated website, an audience to discuss a book’s theme. This Crossing Pages also includes a dinner where the project also has a blog where everyone can brand new activity for adults was launched in people who have just met can go on talking leave comments and questions, share photos, spring 2012 by Museo delle Scienze (MUSE) in about the literary topic of the day. quotations and keep in touch. It’s the Trento, Italy. So far it has been a success, but During dinner, there are again some moments of contemporary world at its best. please, join in and judge for yourself! live reading and cross-fertilization of art and
In Memoriam: Tiiu Sild (1958-2012)
Tiiu Sild was born on 17 July, 1958. Her first We are saddened by the thought that Tiiu will degree (with honours) in chemistry and not be there to see it. She died, however, chemical pedagogy was from Tartu University in knowing it will happen, largely thanks to her 1981. efforts. She worked as a chemical engineer and took Tiiu was a wonderful person and a constructive her master’s degree in molecular biology. Since force in our field. We are all saddened by her 1997, Tiiu was the Director of AHHAA Science death. Struck by sorrow, we will cherish her Centre, taking it from a small university project memory, knowing that AHHAA itself will stand to the world class science centre that opened in as a memorial to her dedication and hard work. 2011. She was awarded the Estonian Prize for Tiiu, we miss you! Science Popularisation by the Estonian Ministry of Education and Science last year for her life’s Per-Edvin Persson, friend of Tiiu Sild, In the early morning hours of 16 February, work. and Director of Heureka, 2012, Tiiu Sild, Director of the AHHAA Science Tiiu Sild was deeply appreciated in our field. Vantaa, Finland Centre, sadly passed away in her home town of She was active in international co-operation, Tartu, Estonia. Tiiu Sild had been a member of both within the Nordic countries and in the Ecsite Board since 2011. She is mourned Europe. and remembered by a great number of friends The Nordic Science Centre Association will and colleagues in Estonia, Europe and all over have its Annual Meeting in Tartu in September, the world. 2012. 04 INSPIRING ADULT VISITORS
A big debate: Engaging young adults at Science Center NEMO
By Marjolein van Breemen and Meie van Laar, Science Center NEMO, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Young adults are our future and an important audience for museums, but in the Netherlands, they are difficult to attract for a visit to museums and science centers.
Science Center NEMO is the largest of its kind in The Netherlands with more than 500,000 visitors per year. Next to exhibitions, NEMO has demonstrations, science shows, a science lab, and “science Students use PlayDecide to debate gender in science and technology live” experiments with real scientists, debates and lectures. Around 8 per cent of How to approach Examples of successful our recreational visitors are teenagers teenagers programmes between 13-18 years old. But almost 50 per cent of our educational Young people are truly engaged in developing NEMO has as few educational programmes for visitor are secondary school students (over their own opinions and positions in society. teenagers using different formats such as age 12) bringing a total of 80,000 teenaged During this process of self-understanding, they debate battles and a video contest about visitors each year. Educational programmes want to be taken seriously. Consider the professionals working in science and are therefore a good way to reach this following ideas when creating programmes for technology. NEMO and its Science Learning specific audience; NEMO is capitalizing on young adults: Center develop the educational programmes this by developing targeted educational • See them as a serious partner and make and teaching materials, and then train teachers programmes for teenagers. them accountable for their own futures and organize the events. • Add a competitive element - appeal to their urge to define their stance in society Debate Battles NEMO answers the teenage desire for competition and self-expression with Debate Battles. As part of the EU’s Towards Women in Science and Technology (TWIST) project on gender equality in science and technology, NEMO organized a debate for 15-17-year-old students (male and female) on female employment, as well as the influx of female students in science studies. The subject was introduced through a debate using the PlayDecide (www.playdecide.eu) discussion game as an anchor. Students were asked to think of a solution to the lack of female participation in science and technology, and present their solution through a poster presentation. The solutions were evaluated by an expert panel. Students actively participate in the debate and dared to say what they believe, even if controversial, for example: “Women should fight for themselves and be willing to work as hard and as long as men to achieve the A participant shares his opinion at the gender debate same as men have achieved already”. 05 INSPIRING ADULT VISITORS
A student shares his opinion with the CEO of a company
The contest ends with a spectacular national gala award event in science center NEMO where the best films are awarded prizes by a panel of experts. Sixty-five per cent of the participating students say their opinions about S & T were changed by Tube Your Future. Teachers’ comments on Tube Your Future: A student debates at Cleantech “My students have seen that science is much more than the stereotypical image they had before.” Cleantech - The Battle Video contest: Melding “They get in touch with professions that they didn’t Cleantech is a national debating competition about creativity and self- have a clue about and have an inside look into the clean technology. During the preliminary debate expression for young work that is done. They really learn loads!“ rounds, the students debated with their peers at adults “This video contest really opens up a world for different companies and with the Chief Executive them. Some of them even decided on their Tube Your Future is a very successful project run Officer (CEO) of a large company. The winner of each future studies because of it.” by NEMO for the past five years (it was derived round goes to the national finals held at NEMO. “So inspiring, the awards gala... They have had a from an EU project called Gender Awareness In this project, students come into contact with fantastic time, it was a real acknowledgement Participation Process (GAPP). In this video contest, inspiring professionals and exchange views on for my class.” students can depict their own image of what it is different technologies and their implications for like to work in the world of science and society. This leads to an awareness of sustainable Already more than 10,000 students have technology (S&T). They interview S&T solutions in technology and brings students closer to participated in Tube Your Future. The results of the professionals at their workplaces and edit the the practical current affairs related to technology. last five years show that the programme really interview to a short movie which is uploaded on This project works for two main reasons: first, it helped young adults (particularly girls) develop YouTube. Today there are 177 videos made by entices teens with the element of competition and, more realistic images of the world of science and students on the project’s YouTube channel: second, brings them close to the CEO of a large technology and started to orient them in the S&T www.tubeyourfuture.nl. company who is eager to hear their points of view. labour market.
A student filming for Tube Your Future Winners at the National Gala Award event for Tube Your Future 06 INSPIRING ADULT VISITORS
Science inquiry after 60
By Cláudia Velhas, Pavilion of Knowledge - How a molecule Ciência Viva, Lisbon, Portugal inspired a The Pavilion of Knowledge - Ciência Viva is programme for responding to the aging population in greater Lisbon, senior citizens Portugal, by reaching out to older people with science Just outside our science centre activities. Ciência Viva ran an information technology there is a giant model of a training programme for senior citizens in 2004 in an molecule composed of 60 carbon + effort to decrease information exclusion among the atoms. It is a Senior science enthusiasts engage in lifelong learning with the C60 club elderly. The programme was highly successful and buckminsterfullerene (C60) several seniors have remained at our science centre which, as a symbol of innovation, Seniors are also involved in programme as volunteer explainers where they share their interest technology and various areas of knowledge, has development as we meet regularly to get their in science with the public. inspired us to develop a programme of activities input on topics and activities they would like to for seniors where they can investigate and explore. This way, the programme is developed question issues related to science in daily life. not just for them but with them. Because we want this programme to have a positive impact, we robbed an electron from the C60 molecule so it now has a positive charge Why engage senior + + (C60 ). This is how Club C60 was born. Club citizens? members have been to the Lisbon Stock Senior citizens are a growing part of our Exchange and posed questions to economists, population, so science centres and other informal they have explored the chemistry of foods learning institutions are moving toward a more including salt, sugar, soups, the bread making + frequent interaction with this audience. Science Exploring the science of cooking during a C60 kitchen process, desserts. science session communication efforts in this field can generate powerful ideas and positive experiences for both science centres and older people. There is scope for increased public participation since older people have a wide range of experiences and knowledge they can contribute; they should not be mere spectators but also given a lead role in the activities in which they are involved. There are also plenty of opportunities for social interaction among participants, which is often very important especially for seniors who feel isolated in their communities.
What are we learning? Our work with senior citizens has been positive but there is more to be done. We reach older citizens who are active and scientifically engaged, but the real challenge has been reaching those more isolated with little or no scientific background. We are therefore looking to use the energy and time of scientifically engaged seniors to connect with this hard-to-reach group, helping them create a connection between the culture, science and technologies that permeate their lives. Aging populations pose a challenge for societies, but this challenge could prove to be a great opportunity for science centres and museums to engage with older citizens and stimulate lifelong learning experiences. 07 INSPIRING ADULT VISITORS
Japanese exhibition helps visitors tackle big questions
By Isao Yamasaki, The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan), Tokyo, Japan
The disastrous Great Eastern Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011 was a wake-up call for all Japanese, Contemplating life’s big questions at Miraikan’s The End of the World - 73 questions We Must Answer exhibition and the world has been watching how Japan has introduce, in an understandable manner, cutting-edge how people were dealing with the aftermath. I told been handling difficulties after the disaster. An science to visitors, to provide accurate scientific her that visitors are certainly interested in the earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0 on the Richter information, and to improve visitors’ decision-making exhibition and Japanese are quite sensitive about life scale caused a tremendous tsunami that destroyed process on scientific and technological advancement. and death, and are paying more attention to science many towns, and incurred approximately 20,000 The SCs are the “sparks” igniting the public's due to the nuclear accident. Two young men from fatalities. The nation learned that even advanced desire to express opinions about science. Germany said they had already thought of most of science and technology could not predict such a SCs daily offer a 30-minute tour of the 73 the questions before, and that the exhibition plays disaster, nor prevent the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear Questions exhibition. SCs enhance visitors’ an important role for all people to think about life. plant from catastrophe. We know, rather abstractly, experiences through active dialogue exchanging that someday each of us will die, but no one really perspectives. realizes or prepares for our own demise within one’s Life goes on every day routine. Have you ever thought about your Experiencing 73 Questions helps visitors find hope in life suddenly ending, today? Would you want to living. We hope this exhibition stimulates people to know the future cause of your death, if it were Adult and family groups reflect on their own lives and helps people find possible? These are some of the questions that are interested better ways to live while fulfilling their dreams. visitors to Miraikan’s new exhibit, The End of the We have noticed that family groups, adult couples and World - 73 questions We Must Answer are asked. individual adults are very interested in the exhibits, This special exhibition has been attracting visitors of and they tend to spend more time with each question. all ages and of all social backgrounds. The visitors They seem to take each question personally at first, proceed through 73 questions closely related to their then weigh it with knowledge, past experiences, and Sample of 73 Questions personal life, and are guided by scientific topics to values. People share opinions with others and write The end of culture discuss with friends and family. How do science and ideas on post-it notes or on monitors. Family groups Technological advances have greatly affected technology affect people’s attitudes toward their way (parents and children) engaged in discussions. One human life. Since time on earth began, of life? How do we best use science and parent said that it was a fulfilling experience to learn humans and nature have continued their technology? After answering the questions, the how his own children think of answers to each evolution uninterrupted. Will we consider the visitors reconsider their life’s priorities. Planning for question because such topics are seldom discussed. A nature of sustainability what, until when, and the exhibition was initiated prior to the earthquake. 30-year-old woman said that she started seriously with whom? In a world rocked by change, we People experienced those unexpected disasters, and thinking about what modern science and technology will reconsider what should be maintained. they were forced to consider the meaning of life, as means to her in other exhibit halls after seeing our Questions well as what constitutes a good quality life. The exhibition. A 20-year-old nurse visited just to see the “Can we return to the lifestyle of 50 years ago?” exhibition creators revisited the concepts and exhibition because she frequently witnesses “the end “Have we lost anything during our questions of the exhibition after the earthquake and of life” in her profession. There are many personal technological advances?” stories and “The end of the world” is attracting a determined that it matched people’s interests. The end of the story widely diverse audience including those not normally 73 Questions opened March 10, 2012 with over What does the “end of the world” mean? interested in science. 23,000 visitors to date with many more expected The universe? The earth? Your life? Or before its closing date of 11 June. perhaps an important person or thing? This exhibition closes by reconfirming that, this This exhibition attracts instant, we are alive and the world is Science communicators non-Japanese continuing on. The “story that begins with (SC) enhance visitors’ I had the chance to do a brief tour for a visitor from an end” begins now. experience with a Special France. She was a writer for a newspaper company Questions Tour that reports international news. She immediately “What ‘end’ entails the end of the world to you?” Miraikan’s science communicators serve visitors on a asked me about visitors’ reactions to the exhibition “What type of future will you carve out for daily basis by interpreting content, giving mini lectures, because she knew Japanese had experienced the yourself?” demonstrations, and tours. The SCs’ missions are to horrendous disasters last year and wanted to know 08 LISTINGS
shown that 75% of the visitors were in their 20s, NANO AREA AT THE half of them were students, and as much as 95% THE WAY OF LIFE - A NATIONAL MUSEUM OF would attend the event another time. BIOGRAPHICAL SCIENCE AND Contact: Jan Alfred, [email protected] EXHIBITION, DASA, TECHNOLOGY LEONARDO www.tekniskmuseum.no/information-in-english/ DORTMUND, GERMANY DA VINCI, MILAN, ITALY DASA´s new exhibition-installation uses a The Nano Area engages adults with a real lab of participatory and artistic approach to visualize the flexibility you need in today´s world of work. It is the Milan University inside the Museum, giving THE VARIETY OF LIFE - primarily aimed at youth in their job searching them an up-close view of nanotechnology, lab and EXPLORING THE NATURAL phase, but everyone who has ever thought about theatre activities, and researchers conducting their WORLD OF HUNGARY, changing jobs will find this exhibition interesting. research in dialogue with visitors. HUNGARIAN NATURAL Through seven stations, the journey of our Contact: Sara Calcagnini, [email protected] HISTORY MUSEUM, (working) lives takes us from dreams to www.museoscienza.org possibilities, through obstacles, and finally tries to BUDAPEST, HUNGARY individually and emotionally define a sense of life. Walk under the fearsome jaws of a prehistoric shark. Contact: Monika Röttgen, [email protected] Participate in a hunting adventure across the www.dasa-dortmund.de mammoth steppe. Have a rest in our most beautiful forests. Take a look at life in the most wonderful habitats from a bird’s eye view perspective. This exhibition contains hundreds of original objects, several life-sized reconstructions and many photos to illustrate the variety of landscapes, species-rich habitats and the genetic diversity of species. The project was supported by the Europian Union and co-financed by the European Regional Development Found.
Contact: Anita Arva, [email protected], www.mttm.hu Exhibiting the working world in Dortmund, Germany
MOVING A MENHIR -
Visitors watch a researcher at work at the National NEOLITHIC-STYLE, PARQUE Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci DE LAS CIENCIAS, GRANADA, SPAIN Parque de las Ciencias is developing an experimental DRAWING TEENS TO archaeology project in collaboration with the University THE NORWEGIAN of Granada. Visitors have been invited to move a menhir (a 13.5-ton, 6.8-meter archaeological re- MUSEUM OF SCIENCE, creation) using techniques from the Neolithic era. Over TECHNOLOGY AND 100 people have already taken part in the activity MEDICINE, OSLO, NORWAY Adult visitors confront the natural past in Budapest, Hungary which will finish with the erecting of the menhir. To bring young adults to the Norwegian Museum Contact: Cristina González, [email protected] of Science, Technology and Medicine, a decision www.parqueciencias.com was made: Why not throw a party with DJs, live bands, quizzes, science shows, workshops and MINGLE WITH SCIENTISTS bars. The events, now taking place for the tenth AT THE MARITIME MUSEUM time, have been a big success. Evaluations have AND AQUARIUM, GÖTEBORG, SWEDEN Mingle with Scientists is for adult visitors and is held on Wednesday evenings in the Aquarium. Participating scientists give lectures, perform experiments and talk to the visitors. Specially designed, permanent lab benches in the exhibition, with on-going marine biology experiments, are used to enhance the scientific context. The evening ends with a science quiz held in the restaurant. The Norwegian band “Hanne Hukkelberg” playing at the event Contact: Björn Källström, [email protected] the Norwegian Museum of Science, Technology and Medicine Pull! It takes a group of adults to move a menhir in Granada, Spain www.sjofartsmuseum.goteborg.se 09 LISTINGS
SCIENCE IS CULTURE AT BLOOMFIELD SCIENCE MUSEUM JERUSALEM, JERUSALEM, ISRAEL Culture advocates don’t always refer to scientific research as part of a cultural legacy. In order to link the two, our museum approaches science issues from scientific as well as artistic angles, showing similarities and differences between The picturesque Technical Museum of Slovenia Uncovering a rich past in York, UK the two: Piano concerts and brain activities, stand-up Days of Electrical Engineering, Days of Mechanical landscape over the last 2,000 years and is located comedy show about being a female scientist and Engineering) at which the researchers, professors within the hands-on environment of DIG; bringing works of art on scientific principles and their social and students from the various educational and you closer to the archaeology of York. implications. These science culture features all help research institutions present their field. draw adults to our museum. Contact: [email protected], http://digyork.com Contact: Urša Vodopivec, [email protected], www.tms.si Contact: Varda Gur Ben Shitrit, [email protected] www.mada.org.il TECHNOSEUM, STAR WARS MANNHEIM, GERMANY PROFS & PINTS, IDENTITIES™, X3 In the context of the temporary exhibition, “Our SCITECH, PERTH, AUSTRALIA PRODUCTIONS, Daily bread... The Industrialization of Food”, lectures Scitech is presenting free evenings of lively banter MONTREAL, CANADA on genetic engineering were offered as well as on that will spark curiosity, ignite discussion and leave This exhibiton food for astronauts or religious dietary requirements. people questioning the world as they know it. Held is a character- The event programme focused on issues that are at an inner-city pub in Western Australia, top driven currently being discussed among the German public. scientists will lead the people of Perth on a journey adventure into In this way, it proved to be an ideal complement for through contentious topics currently rousing debate identity. this exhibition which is dedicated primarily to adults. in our society. This is the third year for this highly Explore the Contact: Marit Teerling, successful series of adult science engagement events science of [email protected], www.technoseum.de where people can immerse themselves in a hearty identity debate among Perth’s top science thinkers. through the Contact: Renae Sayers, [email protected] beloved SCIENCE CENTRE www.scitech.org.au characters of AHHAA TO DISCUSS Star Wars and ACTIVE AGEING, TARTU, find out what makes you ESTONIA you. Learn On 23 September 2012, Science Centre AHHAA will about the be expecting adults from all walks of life to take part components of in the centre’s annual autumn conference, which, identity and this time around, will focus on active ageing. Expert how they influence who we become through an opinions and eye-opening discussions are exciting interactive identity-quest in which you will guaranteed. Stylish science coasters await a cold beer in Perth, Australia create your own Star Wars character. Contact: Helin Haga, [email protected], Contact : Jacques-André Dupont, www.ahhaa.ee [email protected], www.x3productions.ca TECHNICAL MUSEUM OF SLOVENIA, BOROVNICA, SLOVENIA LOOKING BACK AT Visitors to the Technical Museum of Slovenia HUNGATE, DIG-AN visitors can weekly attend several workshops ARCHAEOLOGICAL (such as restoration, horseshoe-making) and ADVENTURE, YORK, UK demonstrations (Nikola Tesla's experiments, During the five-year excavation of Hungate, threshing with stationary steam engine...), archaeologists discovered a rich and changing through which they can truly experience the story, reflecting how people adapted the use of technical spirit. Annually we organize special this low-lying land that sits by the River Foss. A senior visitor enjoys the World of Water exhibit at events such as science events (Days of Physics, Artefacts tell the story of a changing city Science Centre AHHAA 10 NEWS FROM ECSITE
For more information about PLACES, contact centre networks Margit Fischer, First Lady OPEN SCIENCE Antonio Gomes da Costa of Austria and President of Austria’s RESOURCES [email protected], or visit ScienceCenter-Network, made the case for Ecsite’s Open Science www.openplaces.eu. a science centre and museum partnership Resources (OSR) project is with the United Nations. The objective? To now entering its final improve public engagement and education months of activity. The ENGINEER on global sustainability issues. Ecsite project garnered The Engineer project President Robert Firmhofer, Margit Fischer international awards and recognition during its partners enjoyed a and Association of Science-Technology lifespan, including: the European Distance and successful workshop Centers (ASTC) President Bryce Seidl were E-Learning Network (EDEN) Award for Leading and project meeting in interviewed on the conference’s daily news Practice in Learning impact, the IMS Global Jerusalem, Israel, hosted by project coordinator show. Learning Consortium’s Silver Award and the Bloomfield Science Museum Jerusalem. The • The catalogue of actions: Open Educational Quality Initiative (OPAL) project website is currently under construction The Ecsite Nature Group soon launches the Award for quality and innovation through open and partners are busy defining content and online catalogue, Science centres and educational practices. scope for the engineering training kits for museums: Inspiring people to action for The project was also presented at the American schools. the planet - a digital compilation of the Association for the Advancement of Science books, exhibits, lectures, websites, etc, To learn more about the project visit Annual Conference. initiated by Ecsite member institutions to www.ecsite.eu under Activities & resources > Learn more by visiting www.osrportal.eu engage the public on environmental Projects. issues. • The short film: KiiCS NEW PILOTS With the cooperation of other science centre Knowledge Incubation networks, Ecsite collected video content from in Innovation and TRAINING COURSE 2012, science centres and museums all over the Creation for Science LISBON, PORTUGAL, world to create a visual tour of how these (KiiCS) project 17-21 SEPTEMBER 2012 institutions inspire their visitors to protect partners are busy collecting examples of best This five-day interactive and intensive summer the planet. practices in incubation methods available school is a new edition of the “Pilots Training The film was shown at the Ecsite Annual across Europe with a view to facilitating Course for Museum Explainers, Educators and Conference in Toulouse and in Rio de Janeiro optimal conditions FOR MIXING art, science Young Scientists involved in outreach alongside the Rio+20 Conference (20-22 and business. programmes.” June 2012). It is available as a free Ultimately, the consortium aims to create Get ready for workshops, debates and promotional resource - look for it on innovative projects with young people and presentations from experienced European www.ecsite.eu from the end of May 2012 other target groups. trainers. The course, coordinated by Ecsite, will under Resources. For a description of the project, visit be hosted by the Pavilion of Knowledge - • The Ecsite Position on Biodiversity: www.ecsite.eu under Activities & resources > Ciência Viva in Lisbon, Portugal. Approved by the Ecsite board in March Projects. Check www.ecsite.eu under Training for 2012, this statement highlights our registration and information about Grundtvig network’s concern for protecting grants. Contact Marzia Mazzonetto for more biodiversity and maps out a proactive information: [email protected]. response. PLACES Available at www.ecsite.eu under 2nd PLACES Conference: About>Governance>Position papers. Sharing Experiences will take place in Tartu, Estonia, ECSITE’S RIO + 20 10 - 12 October 2012 CAMPAIGN NEW FACES AT THE Ecsite member AHHAA Science Centre is the • Ecsite advocacy at ECSITE EXECUTIVE conference host. Conference sessions will comprise Planet Under poster sessions, meetings of Thematic Working Pressure (PuP), OFFICE IN BRUSSELS, Groups, Stakeholders Assembly, Presentations of London UK: BELGIUM Local Action Plans, presentations from industry, the With more than 3,000 participants from Anne Urger steps in as Ecsite’s new Office European Commission, representatives from the across the globe, Planet under Pressure Manager, Didier Achille Laval joins the team arts, science communicators and a creative was the world’s largest gathering of as Ecsite’s newest Projects Coordinator (as workshop. Foundations: Inside year one of the experts on global environmental and social of 1 June 2012) and Lucy Schweingruber PLACES project mini magazine is now available - issues in advance of the major UN Rio+20 takes on the role of Events Manager (as of 1 Ecsite members will have already received a copy Summit in June. In a speech written in July 2012). in the post. collaboration with the world’s science A warm welcome to all! 11 COURSES • CONFERENCES • COMPETITIONS
Science in Public, 20-21 Ecsite Directors Forum: Ecsite Corporate Donors
July 2012, London, UK Rocking the Balance, Teknikens Bruns International Now in its 7th year, this conference brings Hus Science Centre, Luleå, www.bruns.nl together those strands of academia which Sweden, 21-23 November 2012 consider the relationships between sciences The focus of this year’s Ecsite Directors Forum and ‘the public’, multiple publics, and the Sky-Skan will deal with the themes of diversity, inclusion, www.skyskan.com public sphere. This conference provides a wide- gender balance and overcoming societal ranging platform for discussing and debating stereotypes in science and technology. Gender emerging cross-disciplinary perspectives, as equality continues as a contentious issue in well as showcasing recent and developing modern society, particularly with regard to Techniquest www.techniquest.org research findings. Delegates come from many women in science and research. Science disciplines: science and technology studies, centres and museums play a crucial role in history of science, geography, psychology, overcoming prejudices about science and Expology - www.expology.no cultural studies, media studies, sociology, technology careers for girls and boys. The science communication, development studies, forum will feature four engaging keynote English literature, science policy studies and speakers. More details are coming soon to Exhibits.nl more. www.exhibits.nl www.ecsite.eu under Activities & www.ucl.ac.uk/sts/engage_academics/co resources > Directors forum. nferences/sip2012 SMG Science Center Service www.smg-deutschland.de
2012 CIMUSET Conference, Ecsite Annual Conference 2013: Dreams - the spirit of Triad Berlin Helsinki, Finland, 28-31 August www.triad.de The International Committee for Museums and innovation Collections of Science and Technology Pre-conference workshops: (CIMUSET) is composed of museum June 4-5, Archimedes Moving Science www.archimedes-exhibitions.de professionals from the fields of science and Main conference: 6-8 June technology. is dedicated to the theme of Universeum, Gothenburg, Brighter Perspectives for Science and Sweden Skypoint Digital Planetariums Technology Museums. The conference will If innovation was traditionally directed by www.digitalplanetariums.com address topics including New Approaches, producers, it is now increasingly led from the Perspectives and Technologies for the opposite direction with users or consumers in Exhibitions and Interaction & Cooperation with the innovation driver’s seat. With this in mind, RSA Cosmos www.rsacosmos.com Different Actors. informal learning environments must make way www.tampere.fi/cimuset2012 for innovative methods and new technologies in order to remain vital in the 21st Century. Ecsite wishes to thank its Corporate Donors, who support Ecsite network Science communicators must play a double activities. In return, the Donor gains prominence in the Ecsite Newsletter, role as agents of creativity and as the interface on the website, and at the Annual Conference. If you wish to receive between invention and user. How can science information about the Corporate Donorship programme, please contact International Conference the Ecsite on Science Communication: centres, museums and science communication Executive Office in Brussels: [email protected] • http://www.ecsite.eu professionals help future generations innovate “Science Communication: for social wellbeing? How can we harness the International Perspectives, confidence and insight for new approaches to Issues and Strategies”, Nancy, problem-solving? Where can we find the France, 4-7 September 2012 motivation, inspiration and commitment to turn Don’t miss the 2012 edition of the dreams into reality? International Conference on Science Jump in to the Ecsite Annual Conference 2013 Communication. Whether you work in the by organising a conference session: Watch for fields of culture and science communication, or the call for proposals coming soon to you are a coordinator, a researcher, a post- www.ecsite.eu/annual_conference. graduate student, send us your contact details Proposals deadline will be October 2012. for information on the organisation of the Designed by CUEN conference. T +39 081 2301118 www.jhc2012.eu/index.php/en/ [email protected] for Ecsite - the European Network of Science Centres and Museums Ecsite Executive Office 70 Coudenberg, 5th Floor • B-1000 Brussels T +32 2 649 7383 • F +32 2 647 5098 [email protected] • www.ecsite.eu 12