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Engaging All Audiences with Science

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Engaging All Audiences with Science ENGAGING ALL AUDIENCES WITH SCIENCE ENGAGING ALL AUDIENCES WITH SCIENCE SCIENCE CAPITAL AND INFORMAL SCIENCE LEARNING The Science Museum Group is an alliance We have been leading the development of five museums across the UK which of a practical application of the science welcome over 5 million visitors each year. capital concept for the informal science As a group of museums we are committed learning sector and are pioneering this to making a difference and to help build approach through organisational change a STEM-literate society that celebrates across our museums. science, technology and engineering. So, what does science capital mean Our mission is to ‘inspire futures’ and our and what opportunities does it bring? number-one strategic priority is to ‘build science capital in individuals and society’. The Science Museum Group worked in partnership with Kings College London, OUR MUSEUMS ARE: University College London and BP on the Enterprising Science project which Science Museum, London used the concept of science capital Science and Industry Museum, Manchester to understand how people from all backgrounds engage with science National Science and Media Museum, Bradford and how their engagement can be National Railway Museum, York increased through different science- related experiences. Locomotion, Shildon ENGAGING ALL AUDIENCES WITH SCIENCE WHAT IS SCIENCE CAPITAL? The concept of science capital gives us A simple way to imagine it is like a bag an insight into why and how some people or holdall that collects and carries all the participate in and engage with formal and science-related experiences you have had. informal STEM-related experiences – and This includes what you have learned about why some do not. It can help to frame and science; all the different types of STEM- shape experiences which are designed to related activities you have done, such as support STEM engagement. watching science TV programmes or visiting science museums/centres; all the people Science capital itself is a measure of your who you know who use and talk about engagement or relationship with science, science; and whether science is something how much you value it and whether you feel that you enjoy and feel confident doing, it is ‘for you’ and connected to your life. or not. It highlights the significance of what you know about science, how you think about it, Everyone has a different amount of science what science-related activities you do and capital; it is not fixed and can change who you know in your life who uses and across a lifetime. The more science capital talks about science in shaping attitudes you have, the more likely you are to feel towards STEM. that it is useful and important in your life. 3 ENGAGING ALL AUDIENCES WITH SCIENCE WHERE HAS THE CONCEPT OF SCIENCE CAPITAL COME FROM? Millions of pounds have been spent on The research highlights that although interventions and programmes that have many people like and enjoy science at aimed to increase participation in STEM. school, few aspire to continue with science- But this hasn’t hugely changed the profile related study or careers or feel comfortable of the people who study science post-16 in places where science is presented or or those who take up careers in and from discussed. They see science as something science. The problem is that many science- which is abstract and theoretical, with related experiences may, unconsciously, little real-life application, and only suited favour people from more socially to the very bright – it’s just not what normal advantaged backgrounds. people do. They can’t see where it will bring value to their lives or how it could help them King’s College London and University with their aspirations or ambitions. College London have led the research into science capital to help shed light on why A distinct relationship between attitudes many people remain underrepresented and aspirations towards STEM and levels of in STEM. science capital has been identified through the research. NATIONAL UK SURVEY OF SCIENCE CAPITAL A nationally represented survey have high science capital conducted with 3,638 11- to (more likely to be socially 15-year-olds living in areas near 5% advantaged and male) to the Science Museum Group sites found that1... 68% 27% have medium have low science capital science capital (more likely to be female and/or from less socially advantaged backgrounds) 1. Archer et al. (2015) 4 ENGAGING ALL AUDIENCES WITH SCIENCE WHAT INFLUENCES PEOPLE’S ENGAGEMENT WITH SCIENCE? Science, technology, engineering and These dimensions show that it takes more maths achieve amazing things, but that than simply enjoying or learning about doesn’t mean that everyone feels like science to make you feel more connected they have a personal connection with it. with them. We can use the dimensions to help us design The research has identified eight key environments and deliver programmes that dimensions or sources of science capital. are welcoming, inspiring and memorable for These are the most significant STEM-related as wide an audience as possible. experiences, knowledge, behaviours and attitudes people can have that will influence their science capital. EIGHT DIMENSIONS OF SCIENCE CAPITAL 1 3 SCIENCE KNOWLEDGE LITERACY ABOUT THE TRANSFERABILITY 2 OF SCIENCE 4 SCIENCE- CONSUMPTION RELATED OF SCIENCE- ATTITUDES RELATED MEDIA 5 AND VALUES 7 PARTICIPATION KNOWING IN ACTIVITIES, PEOPLE IN A IN AND OUT OF SCIENCE-RELATED SCHOOL 6 JOB/ROLE 8 FAMILY TALKING TO SCIENCE SKILLS, OTHERS ABOUT KNOWLEDGE AND SCIENCE QUALIFICATIONS 5 ENGAGING ALL AUDIENCES WITH SCIENCE 6 ENGAGING ALL AUDIENCES WITH SCIENCE HOW CAN INFORMAL LEARNING EXPERIENCES HELP TO GROW SCIENCE CAPITAL? People experience and learn science in No one place or experience can build a many different places – at school, at home person’s science capital alone. We need and in their everyday life. to work together to maximise the impact of our STEM experiences for the widest Informal science learning experiences possible audiences. play a key part in the STEM learning landscape by supporting and encouraging The science capital research provides audiences to extend their learning within us with a good-practice framework and and beyond our spaces. They help to a common language that we can all use to broaden people’s perception of STEM play our part in helping to improve science and have the potential to inspire people participation and grow science capital in of all ages and backgrounds with the individuals and society. opportunities and wonders of STEM. 7 ENGAGING ALL AUDIENCES WITH SCIENCE WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? By helping more people to be inspired by nurturing our existing audiences, it and engage with science, we will not only can help us to identify new ways to help to attract a broader range of people reach out and connect with absent for new STEM jobs, we will bring more and infrequent visitors. diversity to the people who contribute The benefits for audiences will include2: and participate in science and innovation, which will create a fairer and more • Recognising the personal relevance, inclusive society. value and meaning of STEM We don’t want anyone to feel excluded • A deepening of their appreciation from science or see science settings as of science places where they don’t belong or won't • Improved understanding and recall feel welcome. Not everyone needs to study of science content science or take part in science experiences, • Increased interest in/pursuit of STEM but we need to help everyone to feel as if subjects and careers post-16 they could. • Increased participation in ‘out of As the research gives us an insight into school’ science activities and lifelong what influences and shapes people's connection with museums and attitudes towards science, as well as cultural institutions 8 ENGAGING ALL AUDIENCES WITH SCIENCE HOW CAN YOU PUT THE RESEARCH INTO PRACTICE? A key message from the research is to • Are you doing all you can to make focus on the environment that we invite everyone feel welcome and confident our audiences into3. in your experiences? Every aspect of an experience or visit is • How can the communication methods an opportunity to shape someone’s feelings and language you use help everyone about and relationship with STEM – whether to feel that they are part of science? it is the welcome they get, the signage and • How do your experiences connect images they see, the people they meet, the and relate to your audiences' rich and places they go to eat, the science content diverse interests, experiences and and programmes or the website and everyday lives? practical information. • How do you value and build on the STEM We all have different opportunities in knowledge and experiences that your the work that we do. There is no quick fix visitors bring with them? or checklist for applying the research to The Science Museum Group has created practice, it is about continually reflecting a toolkit of resources and workshops to on what you do every day through the eyes support our staff to apply a science capital of your audiences by asking questions approach to their everyday work (table on such as: page 13). 2,3. Archer et al. (2018) 9 ENGAGING ALL AUDIENCES WITH SCIENCE CAN YOU MEASURE SCIENCE CAPITAL? Science capital is not in itself an • Persevere, complete activities evaluation tool. We can’t tell how a single and spend longer in our spaces visit or experience has increased someone’s • Have positive emotions towards science capital as this will come from a an experience combination of factors over time. But by • Have purposeful involvement using and applying the good practice, we and contribute in our experiences can help increase people’s engagement and programmes with science, which will, over time, grow their science capital.
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