Technopolis®, the Flemish science center in Mechelen (Belgium) has successfully organized its 6th Science Center Academy. From Thursday 27 January till Saturday 29 January 2011, 18 participants and 9 experienced science center professionals contemplated on the question of how to set up a low cost high quality science center. This question was being treated in depth during an intense programme consisting of sessions on an array of topics such as mission statement, business plan, exhibition design, marketing… and a look behind the scenes of Technopolis®.

Although having a common purpose, the participants’ background was very diverse; coming from Russia, Norway, Turkey, the Netherlands, Malta, Hungary, Serbia and Cyprus all 11 projects faced different challenges, making the 2011 Science Center Academy highly interesting both for participants and experts. As a seminar with a restricted number of attendants, the Academy provided the opportunity for all parties to discuss specific challenges of their projects.

The information and advice gathered during the sessions as well as the informal coffee breaks, lunches and dinners will contribute to their everyday work, as the following participants enthusiastically testified after the Science Center Academy:

“Thank you! This have been valuable days for both me and the project. 10 points to all the staff! Thank you for sharing.” (Kine Wangerud, Vitensenteret Sørlandet, Norway)

“Hello dear colleagues from Technopolis,

We were all very happy to participate at the Science Center Academy 2011. All the lecturers were sharing their experience unselfishly and the hospitality of your whole team was great. There is still quite a way before the opening for us and we would like to stay in touch. Hopefully you will be able to come for our “test drive”.

Kind regards from Belgrade, Team of Center for the Promotion of Science” (Mladen Petrovic, Center for the Promotion of Science, Serbia)

“This was a great way to exchange ideas. Great opportunity to see how another successful science centre operates. Excellent inspiration!” (Christopher Bugeja, Malta Council for Science and Technology, Malta)