1st Edition
Controversy in Science Museums Re-imagining Exhibition Spaces and Practice
Dedication
List of figures and tables
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Part 1: Articulating Theoretical Landscapes
Chapter 1: Towards more progressive views of scientific literacy in science museums
Chapter 2: Science communication, public engagement and science museums
Chapter 3: Generations of science museums: Changing roles, changing goals
Chapter 4: Engaging controversy
Reflective Questions and Activities
Part 2: Tales From The Field
Chapter 5: Deconstructing science: A Question of Truth
Chapter 6: Growing concerns: Preventing Youth Pregnancy
Chapter 7: Under the skin: Body Worlds
Chapter 8: Breaking taboos: Mental Health: Mind Matters
Reflective Questions and Activities
Part 3: Revisiting Science Museums: Embracing Controversial Terrains
Chapter 9: Visitor voices
Chapter 10: Institutional inspirations and inclinations
Chapter 11: Navigating controversy in science museums
Chapter 12: Science museums re-imagined
Reflective Questions and Activities
Index
Biography
Erminia Pedretti (PhD, MEd, BEd, BSc) is Professor of Science Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto (Canada) in the Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning. Her research interests include science education, STSE, science museum studies, and teacher education. She has published 52 articles, five books, and two teacher education textbooks. She has received numerous nationally competitive grants (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council) to support her research program and graduate students, including her most recent grant Engaging the Public with Controversial Issues through Science Centres and Museums.
Ana Maria Navas Iannini (PhD, MA, BSc) is Assistant Professor at the University of Los Andes (Colombia), in the Faculty of Education. She is a researcher in the fields of science education, science communication, and science museums. She has published one book, four book chapters, six articles, and two professional books. While conducting her PhD and postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Toronto, she participated in several funded research projects involving museums, science centres, and science clubs. Her current grant, received from the University of Los Andes, focuses on public engagement, socio-scientific issues and the informal science education sector.
“Controversy in Science Museums is a superb and unmissable book [...] Grounded in solid research and evidence, this book is a magnificent resource to understand the role of science centres and museums today and their potential in the future. The vast number of examples and case studies cited and the rigorous academic frameworks on which it is based make this book universally relatable. My advice: if you have time to read just one professional development book, make sure it’s this one."
~Andrea Bandelli, Executive Director, Science Gallery International, Dublin, Ireland.
'Controversy in Science Museums: Re-imagining Exhibition Spaces and Practice is a very significant contribution to museology, particularly for those science museum professionals who realise that their institutions have a responsibility to their community to provide access to the science relating to contemporary contested and controversial issues...This book is an elegant exposition of theory, practice and research, compiled by authors who know and understand this genre of science museum exhibitions. It deserves a place on the shelf of every serious museum professional and researcher.’
~Professor Leonie Rennie in Canadian Journal of Science, Technology and Mathematics Education
