A large, international study has found science centres such as Questacon in Canberra and Scienceworks in Melbourne don’t just produce smiles and surprised faces, but have a measurable effect on visitor’s learning and interest in science and technology.
While Sydney does not have a dedicated science centre, in October last year the director of the Powerhouse Museum Rose Hiscock floated the idea of an interactive science centre tied to the museum being established in western Sydney.
The International Science Centre Impact Study found visiting a science centre increased children’s and adults’ knowledge, curiosity and understanding of science and technology. In youth, a visit was linked to greater interest in school science and science and technology-related activities outside of school.
Science centres – globally there are about 2500 visited by about 300 million people a year – also had the greatest effect when visited between two and four times a year.
