Correlating Science Center Use With Adult Science Literacy: An International, Cross-Institutional Study

Abstract

This international investigation was designed to determine if, and under what circumstances experiences at science centers, significantly correlated with a range of adult general public science and technology literacy measures. Given the complex and cumulative nature of science and technology learning, and the highly variable and free‐choice nature of science center experiences, an epidemiological research approach was used. Quantitative surveys were administered to 6,089 adults living in 17 communities located in 13 countries; all with active science centers. Data collection and analysis protocols ensured a representative sampling based on age, education, and income from each of the 17 participating communities. Results showed that individuals who used science centers had significantly higher understanding, interest and curiosity, participation in free‐choice leisure activities, and identity relative to science and technology than did individuals who did not visit; even when potential self‐selection biases such as income, education level, and prior interest were taken into consideration. These findings significantly strengthen the argument that the presence of one or more healthy and active science centers within a community, region, or country represents a vital investment for fostering and maintaining a scientifically and technologically informed, engaged, and literate public.

The role of science identity in science center visits and effects

“…Taken as a whole, these results are simultaneously satisfying and reinforcing of other investigators’ work. First it generally confirms the overall findings of the International Science Center Effects Study (Falk et al, ) as well as the work of others (e.g., (Anderson et al, ; Falk & Needham, , Falk and Needham, ; Falk, Storksdieck, & Dierking, ; Gilbert & Stocklmayer, ; Henriksen & Frøyland, ) that visiting a science center correlates with positive changes in adult's science and technology knowledge, participation and interest (H1).…”

“…The communities sampled ranged in size from large sections of major cities through entire countries. Initial results were analyzed by combining data from all 17 communities (cf., Falk, et al, ). To allow for a more in‐depth investigation that examined the data at the institutional level rather than as a whole, this study selected 10 science centers (Table ) that had sufficient sample size to permit more fine‐grained analysis; these included: Heureka (Finland), Universeum (Sweden), Swedish National Museum of Science & Technology (Sweden), VilVite (Norway), Technopolis, the Flemish Science Center (Belgium), Ciencia Viva (Portugal), Science Center Singapore (Singapore), National Museum of Natural Science (Taiwan), Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science (U.S.), and Science North (Canada).…”

“…It was piloted with 14 to 15‐year olds for comprehension of language and the validity of science concepts and processes included; the same instrument that worked for youth was used with adults so the instrument's reading and comprehension levels were at approximately a 14‐year‐old level or lower. For further discussion of instrument and data collection methods see Falk et al ().…”

“…These adults, primarily parents, claim they are visiting principally to act as facilitators of science learning for others rather than as active learners themselves. Interestingly though, even under these circumstances, it appears that adults actually learn science and have their interest increased (Falk & Storksdieck, , Falk et al, )…”

“…A meta-analysis study showed that these institutions have a personal, societal, political, and economic impact on their surrounding communities (Garnett, 2002). And a number of recent studies have shown that these science-related museums promote public engagement with and understanding of science (Anderson, Piscitelli, Weier, Everett, & Tayler, 2002;Falk & Needham, 2011;Falk & Needham, 2013;Falk, Storksdieck, & Dierking, 2007;Gilbert & Stocklmayer, 2001;Henriksen & Frøyland, 2000) as well as significantly correlate with enhanced public interest in science (Falk et al, 2016;Falk et al 2018).…”