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Today's educational programs are founded in the Museum's long history of creating innovative, hands-on learning opportunities for all ages and abilities. Please see the BSNH section for information on the early educational programs of the Boston Society of Natural History, before the Museum moved to Science Park.
Today's educational programs are founded in the Museum's long history of creating innovative, hands-on learning opportunities for all ages and abilities. Please see the BSNH section for information on the early educational programs of the Boston Society of Natural History, before the Museum moved to Science Park.
As the Museum of Science opened its doors in 1951, staff brought the success of the traveling programs with them, scheduling daily live demonstrations on a range of topics, and growing the live animal collection to allow for plenty of visitor interaction with animals such as porcupines, skunks, and owls. As the first dioramas and exhibits were built, Museum educators created complementary programs that helped visitors interact with the exhibits and with one another. This was a unique opportunity for visitors, especially children, to ask questions and attempt problem-solving in a judgement-free zone, outside of a classroom setting.
Along with educators working in the exhibit halls and demonstration areas, Museum staff continued to present formal lectures, often in partnership with local universities and companies. Funders such as the Lowell Institute continued to support lecture series on topics as disparate as geology, the environment, and space exploration. Occasionally, visiting experts would also provide special lectures, such as Jacques Cousteau, Chuck Yeager, and Paula Apsell.
In 1968, the Museum began its “Eye-Opener” program with Boston Public Schools, bringing small groups of elementary students in for private tours and lessons. This program has expanded to include Museum volunteers of all ages and continues to thrive today.
Outreach to early learners emerged as an important element of formal and informal education during the 1970s, and in 1978 the Museum opened the Arthur D. Little Discovery Room for young learners. This innovative space, similar to early-learner zones at other museums, provided simplified concepts and interactives for young families, away from the general hubbub of the Museum. In March 1993, this was reimagined as the Discovery Center, which provided a much larger area for play, interactions with scientists and staff, and live animal exhibits. In its first year, the new Discovery Space hosted more than 370,000 visitors!
In addition to its exhibits and demonstrations, the Museum of Science uses its special venues like the Planetarium and the Theater of Electricity to provide entertaining, engaging content for visitors in a unique format not found in the classroom. Educators in the Theater of Electricity, for example, use a variety of specialized equipment, featuring the two-story Van de Graaff generator, to demonstrate electrical concepts and phenomena. These educators combine pedagogy and storytelling, using their showmanship to engage visitors with complex science ideas. Other specialized spaces include the Omni Theater (currently under renovation), the Live Animal Center, the Suit-Cabot Laboratory Classroom, the Gilliland Observatory on the roof of the parking garage, and the Butterfly Garden.
Many early educational programs in the Museum’s history were geared only towards boys; this was both a societal trend and the influence of funders who were focused on creating opportunities for boys in urban settings. As it grew its Science Park campus, the Museum was aware of disparities between genders in the science and math fields, and partnered with various outside organizations to right this situation. In 1984, the Museum united with Girl Scouts of America, who was encouraging outreach to girls around STEM education and careers. The first Museum sleepovers were designed specifically to engage girls with science and technology professionals. The success of these programs encouraged the Museum to expand the sleepovers (also called “Camp-Ins” or “Overnights”) to school groups of all ages, as well as special member and family nights. Overnight programs often include demonstrations from staff and hands-on activities, as well as screenings in the Hayden Planetarium or the Omni Theater.
Museum educators have always paid close attention to emerging trends in science and technology, in order to present the most relevant, updated information to visitors. Collaborating with colleagues in Exhibits and other departments, educators offer a balance of trending issues and classic science topics, working to engage visitors of all ages and abilities. From the space race in the 1950s and ‘60s, to issues of the environment and equality in the 1970s, to computer and internet technology, and the research of today, the Museum of Science relies on its educators to make complex issues not just understandable, but truly accessible and engaging. 2020 has brought unexpected closures and distance, but Museum educators have risen to the occasion, bringing their experiments and enthusiasm to digital platforms like web videos and podcasts, continuing to uphold the mission of creating science learning opportunities for everyone.
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