Hundreds of millions of children and adults visit science centres around the world. Yet until this study robust evidence of their impact was sparse and little comprehensive international data existed. Reporting on the ISCIS, a study providing robust evidence of science centres' impact through a comprehensive international dataset.

A feature article by John H. Falk, Lynn D. Dierking, Mark Needham, and Lisa Prendergast published in Spokes#3, Spring 2014

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Although science centres have asserted they play a critical role in supporting public science learning, and there is evidence demonstrating their contribution, comprehensive data supporting these claims were limited - until the study the authors are reporting on.The International Science Centre Impact Study (ISCIS), a self-funded collaboration of 17 science centres from 13 countries was designed to remedy this situation.
The goal of the research was to determine if, how, and under what circumstances science centre experiences contribute to the publics’:
1. knowledge and understanding of science and technology;
2. interest in science and technology;
3. engagement with science and technology both in and outside of formal education and the workplace;
4. creativity and problem solving abilities; and,
5. adoption of science and technology-related vocations and avocations.