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Making Meaning of Science: An Experience of a Science Museum in Fostering Dialogue Between Young People and Science

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Abstract

Science and technology museums have been adopting a science communication perspective that goes beyond the simple presentation of information. Through engagement, museums also facilitate the creation and exchange of political and cultural meanings, ideally among diverse social groups. The current study explores students’ views about the relationship between science and technology and everyday life. The research was carried out as part of the assessment of an after-school program led by a science museum and oriented by the situated learning theory. Over 1900 urban public-school students in 5th to 9th grades completed questionnaires and were observed in the activities. Analyses revealed that the students identified different practices associated with scientific work, which allowed them to explore how science works and how it could be related with their everyday life. Further, results suggested that non-formal educational environments could foster interest in science and technology by involving socio-cultural context.

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Notes

  1. Due to the lack of schools and teachers, the school day in Colombia lasts 6 h. However, in recent years, the government intends to extend the school day to 8 h by offering complementary educational activities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Investigacion y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Unidad Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico

    Gonzalo Peñaloza

  2. Maloka Science Center , Bogotá, Colombia

    Lina Quijano, Sigrid Falla & Sara Márquez

Authors
  1. Gonzalo Peñaloza
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  2. Lina Quijano
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  3. Sigrid Falla
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  4. Sara Márquez
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Correspondence to Gonzalo Peñaloza.

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Peñaloza, G., Quijano, L., Falla, S. et al. Making Meaning of Science: An Experience of a Science Museum in Fostering Dialogue Between Young People and Science. Hu Arenas 5, 207–221 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42087-020-00143-5

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