CosmoCaixa is a centre for popularizing science. Its participative and educational methodology is based on interactive experimentation; from a series of exhibition models that the visitor can manipulate and follow according to guidelines, scientific principles can be concluded.
The exhibitions, courses, meetings, film showings, and teaching performances are some of the activities that make the museum a dynamic and lively social centre of scientific knowledge.
All exhibitions, activities, and spaces that this interactive museum offers to its public follow the scientific method and direct experimentation. In many cases the experimentation must be virtualised through the use of technology, such as video, radio, digital systems, and computer programs.
The museum is open to everyone. We can find proof of this in the inexpensive offerings of the institution as well as the great variety of activities designed from different pedagogical perspectives to attract the greatest possible number of people with different intellectual levels.
The diversity of programmed activities covers a wide range of ages, cultural levels, and personal interests. So, in the same space, we can find many possibilities for self-directed journeys through the museum as well as guided tours for families, schools, private groups, etc.
The pedagogic concept of CosmoCaixa is based on working with the largest, most varied public possible. For this, the museum gives visitors the opportunity for different complementary activities in order to optimize the fulfilling of the centre’s objectives to popularize, sensitize, and raise awareness on science. In this sense, the intergenerational opportunities to learn lie in the family activities and on the laboratories.
Our suggestion for improving the intergenerational learning dimension of CosmoCaixa is to create a concrete methodology that will link all the existing ICT resources with the existing physical spaces, either re-conceptualising the exhibition approach, taking into account the intergenerational aspects, the virtual dimension and the physical spaces. One opportunity for the near future would be to redesign the “Science Square”, a perfect example of embodying La Piazza concept into a reality. |