Our Science Museum Group vision is for ‘a society that celebrates science, technology and engineering and their impact on our lives, now and in the future’. So why is this such an important cause?
I’m not sure now when I first encountered science capital.
STEM engagement is at the heart of what we do in our museums, and science capital provides us with a research based insight which builds on our understanding of what influences and shapes people’s engagement and attitudes towards science.
Science capital research has highlighted the need to create links between young people’s science experiences at school, home, and out of school (for example, in museums).
Understanding what influences a person’s science capital is essential to the research.
Science capital gives us research-based insight into what influences and shapes people’s attitudes, engagement and relationship with science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
Museums, science centres, festivals and roadshows are just some of the places where people can enjoy science, learn about science and where attitudes and values towards science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) can be positively influenced.
The powerful concept of science capital can change the practice of the Science Museum Group and potentially that of many people involved in informal science learning.
Clarifying common misconceptions.