The Changing Face of Science Museums

Some people aren’t comfortable in big, formal science museums. Others might not even have access to them in their communities. Science Sandbox is now helping some of its grantee partners upend the stereotype of the traditional, staid science museum.

The Exploratorium installed this public interactive exhibit in San Francisco, called ‘Whispering Dishes.’ A pair of curved concrete dishes (just one is shown) focuses sound so that two people around 15 meters apart can hear one another whispering, even over the din of a busy street

Some people aren’t comfortable in big, formal science museums. Others face economic barriers to entry or don’t have such an institution in their community. Luckily, getting involved in science is becoming more and more apt to happen outside a formal setting. Evolving explorations of what it means to be a modern science museum means that many more people are encountering — and participating in — scientific programming, wherever they may be.

Science Sandbox, a Simons Foundation initiative whose mission is to unlock scientific thinking by engaging people with the process of science, is now helping some of its grantee partners upend the stereotype of the traditional, staid science museum.