The starting point for the science centre movement were encapsulated in the goals of the Exploratorium in San Francisco, United States. But since these beginnings science centres have developed and evolved, for example:

- Science centers evolved and mixed with other kinds of institutions such as museums or science theme parks - Science centers play a new role as core cultural institutions and increasingly serve as a place for communication and discourse. - As evaluation is becoming increasingly important for science centres, evaluators are confronted with the question of what exactly should be evaluated. - Science centers have to reinvent themselves in the scope of community outreach activities and while networking with local as well as regional actors.

Taking all these developments into account, one must ask if the original goals of the science centre as an institution should be redefined?

This session will reflect on the very core of the science centre idea and will try to trigger a fruitful discussion about the general position of science centres in the future.