How can we encourage deeper thinking in science centres and museums? Not only do we want to develop visitors’ abilities to think scientifically, but also their inclination to use these abilities and to raise their awareness of situations where they are needed.

Coming from a mix of art, historical and science museums we will be exploring together with delegates what we can learn from each other about how to support visitors to think collaboratively. In this workshop, delegates will explore ways to develop specific types of thinking amongst groups of visitors on facilitated and self-led visits.

We will begin with the question: What kinds of thinking do we value and want to encourage in science museums?

Following a short presentation from each speaker, we will split into groups to find out more about and experiment with the different approaches being used in each context.

We will reflect on:

What advantages are there in visitors thinking collaboratively?

How can we use art exhibits to encourage scientific thinking?

If we developed a culture of thinking in a museum, what would it look like?