The role of science museums in our country is highly underrated, wherein the science centers are so much more than just a one-day school trip.
A conventional approach to a museum is that of a center of historical preservation of artefacts, displaying tools, paintings, or sculptures. In the case of science museums, they preserve relics and briefs on different scientific theories in a monotonous way of working models or writing. Unless we know the right way to exhibit our knowledge, we can never be appreciated. The lack of engagement generally makes a space dull and less exciting. The role of science museums in our country is highly underrated, wherein the science centers are so much more than just a one-day school trip. Science museums are a crux of learning. It is a place that must teach the process of evolution in human beings, the application of scientific theories, and a place that awakens the human mind about future technologies. Certainly, the newer generation is always smarter. With each generation, we are also advancing in technology. Today, we have grown so much in terms of technology and innovation that we can simply put the same things in a much more presentable way.
Creating experience by adding a seamless flow of storytelling and fostering the participation of people needs to be the new ideology for science museums. Our posterity holds the capability to change our perceptions into reality after passing the relevant knowledge to them.
“The technology we use impresses no one. The experience you create with it is everything.”- Sean Gerety. Making science and art accessible to all, the designers and scientists together on the same platform will give a whole new perspective to exhibit theoretical knowledge in the future. A designer can add essence through surprises by capturing imagination and involvement. Interactive sessions can be added to the earlier static, by the use of the right technology. The design will enhance experiences by playfully using cognitive and emotional thinking to leave a lasting impact on every visitor.
Much like a wildlife sanctuary, it will be a place for every age. Future science museums shall be designed to be a top-notch holiday activity for entertainment and awareness, and for not just a school-going child, but also the elderly. As always, to be a center for preserving resources, it will be a source of different workshops and activities to make each day different and exciting.
The pioneers of exhibition design have started their journey toward the development of an ideal future science museum. The Life, a museum in Ahmedabad, designed by Design Factory India, is connecting human and biological life for impactful learning. The designers work on the notion to entertain, engage, inform, and inspire their visitors. Currently, more science centers are in progress toward this inspiring loop. A new Exploratorium in Delhi is designed to explore new opportunities and welcome different age groups. Junagarh Science Center will be a knowledge hub of basic science and fundamentals of science but also display the facts on the architecture and history of the local areas. This thought will help visitors to connect science and surroundings. Jamnagar, a regional science center, is based on the philosophy that Jamnagar is in the ethos of the Science center. All the mining activities are due to the natural geography of this place. The same concept will be the highlight of this museum.
The goal is to make a difference in the growth of societies to respect and appreciate the resources and surroundings, generating new ideas, and building a future together. In the coming years, science museums will intend to sensitize people and contribute to evolving societies. Holistically, science museums will grow as a place of change and transformation.
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Originally published in Museum Mosaic 2024, published May 2025.
Part of our annual review. Descriptions reflect the publication’s reporting period.
