Conditions that make possible the access to a science museum: case study of Maloka Science Center

Abstract

science museums reflect the interests and values of the community where they are located. The interaction museum-society revolves around cultural, political and economic views, which are the basis of the operation and permanence of the scenario; besides helping to learn about museum’s successes and failures, these aspects can also show the linking role of the museum, understanding it as a meeting point for science and society. Thus, this study answers to the need of the Maloka science center to know and analyze the conditions and mechanisms that make possible the scheduled tours of schools, with a special focus on children between 8 and 12 years old.The study was conducted following a qualitative perspective. Non-participant observations were applied, as well as semi-structured interviews and focus groups, to a group of 12 public and private schools. The research findings show four key aspects that make possible the focus population to visit the museum: socioeconomic and sociocultural aspects, policies and strategic alliances, and individual schools dynamics related aspects. The socioeconomic aspects are the main barrier for the access to the museum, while alliances with public and private institutions are the most common strategy to promote the visits through granting free admission.

Keywords

• museum of science and technology
• interactive museum
• conditions of possibility
• meeting space
• Maloka