This article covers the key findings from a set of qualitative and quantitative research carried out in 2019–2020. This study investigated the relationship between public and professional perceptions of contemporary collecting with particular focus on science, technology and medical museums.
This paper is based on prototype testing at the Science Museum that considered how to support young children’s learning from objects on gallery. It is argued that providing for and enabling play is crucial for young children in family groups to establish familiarity and context related to unfamiliar objects, and that this is associated with learning.
The Science Museum Group Journal presents the global research community with peer-reviewed papers relevant to the work of science museums everywhere. It is completely Open Access and freely shares the research of our five national UK museums while warmly inviting contributions from international museum professionals, academics and researchers to form creative conversations.
Fabienne Gallaire
