Abstract:

The papers discusses challenges faced by science museums in Lithuania while undergoing a shift from traditional functions of science museums (conservation and preservation of heritage, research and communication) to aims raised by the ‘Science Centres Movement’ (Beetlestone et al, 1998). Empirical research presented in the paper is dedicated to analysis of expositions and websites of 10 science museums in Lithuania presenting various phenomena and types of science and technology – energy, astronomy, photography, radio and television, anatomy and medicine, pharmacy, etc.

In the empirical study the authors of the paper refer to the concept of the Science Centre which embraces such features as a move from artefacts having historical value and object-based epistemology to education and focus on a visitor’s learning, closer ties with local community and empowerment, links to formal education and aiming at educational outcomes, focus on leisure attractions and edutainment (education+entertainment) (Beetlestone et al, 1998, Pedretti, 2002, Tlili et al, 2006, Tlili, 2008, Achiam & Sølberg, 2017,). Other important theoretical considerations referred in the research while carrying out the empirical study of Lithuanian science museums is a definition of multiple functions of present-day science museums and science centres (scientific, cultural, educational, social, political, economic, conservational, and symbolic) (Dubuc, 2011, Achiam & Sølberg, 2017) and distinct modes of mediating science (science as relevant to everyday life, science as personal, science as fun, science as doing, science as a route into the public sphere, and science as multicultural endeavour (Tlili et al, 2006). This research is funded by a grant (No. 01.2.2-LMT-K-718-01-0084/232) from the Research Council of Lithuania

Keywords:

Museum education, science museum, science centre, edutainment.