Two studies will be presented which attempt to measure the impact of informal science education which remains one of the field’s toughest challenges.

A review of informal learning in the UK focused on understanding the relationship of science centres to the broader science education community. Hundreds of individuals and organisations involved in science learning activities, both in and out of school, contributed to this work by sharing their experiences, knowledge and ideas. Research was framed using an ecological lens, looking at the roles and relationships of various sectors, for example, broadcast, electronic media, schools, libraries, and science and discovery centres in the community.

The second study is an international piece of research involving 17 institutions form 13 countries designed to determine if experiences at science centres increases engagement with science in and outside formal education and the workplace, and whether it improves knowledge and understanding of science and supports creativity and problem solving. The research takes an epidemiological approach by looking for correlations between outcomes and a range of science centre experiences of differing types and intensity.