LEARNING EXPERIENCES IN FAMILY VISIT TO THE EXHIBITION “WHEN NOT EVERYTHING WAS ICE” AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM

ABSTRACT:

In this paper, we analyse the learning experiences of families visiting a science exhibition through the interactions and conversations. The aim is to understand how an exhibition with a narrative environment design can facilitate the learning process and the construction of meaning of themes related to science. Nine groups of families with children participated in the study, which has a qualitative and exploratory approaches, on a spontaneous visit to the exhibition “When everything was not ice”, designed by the National Museum (RJ). The audiovisual records of the visits were analysed with a research protocol that combines theoretical and empirical aspects of the museum experience. Our results indicate that families were able to develop some understanding of the exhibition and that contemplative exhibitions, with a focus on objects and artefacts, can contribute to the construction of meaning and understanding of topics related to science.

Keywords:
Science museum; Exhibitions; Free choice learning