Controversy in Science Museums: Re-imagining Exhibition Spaces and Practice

Description

Controversy in Science Museums focuses on exhibitions that approach sensitive or controversial topics. With a keen sense of past and current practices, Pedretti and Navas Iannini examine and re-imagine how museums and science centres can create exhibitions that embrace criticality and visitor agency. Drawing on international case studies and voices from visitors and museum professionals, as well as theoretical insights about scientific literacy and science communication, the authors explore the textured notion of controversy and the challenges and opportunities practitioners may encounter as they plan for and develop controversial science exhibitions. They assert that science museums can no longer serve as mere repositories for objects or sites for transmitting facts, but that they should also become spaces for conversations that are inclusive, critical, and socially responsible. Controversy in Science Museums provides an invaluable resource for museum professionals who are interested in creating and hosting controversial exhibitions, and for scholars and students working in the fields of museum studies, science communication, and social studies of science. Anyone wishing to engage in an examination and critique of the changing roles of science museums will find this book relevant, timely, and thought provoking. Cover Half Title Title Copyright Dedication Contents List of figures and tables List of colour plates Acknowledgements Introduction Part 1 Articulating theoretical landscapes 1 Towards more progressive views of scientific literacy in science museums 2 Science communication, public engagement, and science museums 3 Generations of science museums: changing roles, changing goals 4 Engaging controversy Reflective questions and activities Part 2 Tales from the field 5 Deconstructing science: A Question of Truth 6 Growing concerns: Preventing Youth Pregnancy 7 Under the skin: Body Worlds 8 Breaking taboos: Mental Health: Mind Matters Reflective questions and activities Part 3 Revisiting science museums: embracing controversial terrains 9 Visitor voices 10 Institutional inspirations and inclinations 11 Navigating controversy in science museums 12 Science museums re-imagined Reflective questions and activities Index