In respect to their direct interface with the public, museums nowadays are considered, in theory, institutions with a wide reach such as education, leisure, information and social inclusion. In this context, exhibitions emerge as a fundamental component in the relation between museums and society, and expography becomes an essential communicating tool for the effectiveness of the public communication process. But, how does this communication process occur in these places? The present work brings up a discussion on communication strategies in science museums and their effectiveness, focusing on three main themes. The first one refers to the different types of exhibitions and, although there are innumerous possibilities for classification, the ones described by Dean (2003) and Davallon (1986 and 1989) were followed here. Another question is the use of objects, considered, among the different media to which we can resource to in an exhibition, capable of making the museum stand out. Finally, we discuss the interactivity, sometimes reduced to manipulation, according to the levels described by Wagensberg (2000). Examples of these questions are indicated in the long-term exhibition Pesquisa em Zoologia: A Diversidade sob o Olhar do Zoólogo (Research in Zoology: Biodiversity through the eyes of a zoologist) that was opened at the Zoology Museum of the University of São Paulo in September 2002.
Communication; Exhibition; Science museum; Zoology Museum of the University of São Paulo
