HSCi Physical Science Learning Opportunities at Natural History Dioramas

Book chapter

Gkouskou, E. and Tunnicliffe, Sue Dale 2016. HSCi Physical Science Learning Opportunities at Natural History Dioramas. in: Costa, Manuel Filipe, Dorrio, Benito Vazquez, Trna, Josef and Tranova, Eva (ed.) Hands-on. The Heart of Science Education Hands-on Science Network. pp. 1-8
AuthorsGkouskou, E. and Tunnicliffe, Sue Dale
EditorsCosta, Manuel Filipe, Dorrio, Benito Vazquez, Trna, Josef and Tranova, Eva
Abstract

Traditional view of science
museums is that they present a static image of
science, a fixed body. Visitors to museums
come with pre-existing knowledge and
frequently interpret that which they see but
particular through using their Owen
understanding referring to the labels and other
interpretative means not only through the
information provided by get museums. Such
understanding is based on everyday beliefs.
Listening to visitors in natural history museums
reveals that few comments are made about
science in action but focus on identifying the
specimens and commenting on the attributes of
the animals. However, physical science is
much in evident in these animals although not
focused on by natural histoiry museums. I
report here the effects of a hands on workshop
provided for two 11 year old boys and
separately to 8 year old primary children at
natural history museums in the south of
England. The specimens are displayed don an
authentic context in natural history dioramas.
The two dioramas focused upon was one of an
African Savannah scene with a water hole and
at the edge of a forest and a compilation exhibit
of primates on rocks and trees. The children
were asked to view the main diorama and point
out any science that they could recognise. They
participated in hands on workshop focusing on
forces, balance and stability. The leaners
returned to the dioramas and were aske d to
again any science concepts they could see
illustrated by the animal. After the cue provided
by the hands on workshop they recognised a
number of physical science concepts illustrated
by the position in which the animals had been
posed. Science in school for them had not been
taught in a context.

KeywordsMuseum; science; diorama
Book titleHands-on. The Heart of Science Education
Page range1-8
Year2016
PublisherHands-on Science Network
Publication dates
PrintJul 2016
Publication process dates
Deposited01 Dec 2016
Event13th International Conference: Hands-on – the Heart of Science Education
ISBN978-84-8158-714-2
Web address (URL)http://www.hsci.info/hsci2016/
Additional information

© 2016 HSCI Please use the following format to cite this material from this book :Tunnicliffe, S. & Gkouskou, E., HSCi Physical Science Learning Opportunities at Natural History Dioramas, Hands-on. The Heart of Science Education. Costa MF, Dorrío BV, Trna J,
Trnova E (Eds.); Hands-on Science Network, 2016, 1- 8.

Publisher's version
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CC BY-NC-ND
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