Key Lessons in Adapting Interactive Experiences for a COVID-Safe Museum

Rebekah Collins,Amy Boulding,Claire Chakrabarti,Kate Smith,Sunny Sanderson

doi:10.5334/jcms.204

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced museum communities around the world to rapidly re-examine their approach to safe visitor engagement. In an atmosphere of uncertainty, increased attention to hygiene and social distancing, the following is a reflection by <em>SparkLab</em> Sciencentre in the Queensland Museum, Australia, two months after reopening. It highlights the key lessons learnt and strategies adopted, as they continue to reshape and reassess their approach to safe hands-on visitor engagement. This reflection also emphasises the overarching importance of agile planning, open communication, and continued monitoring of COVID-Safe operations, visitor engagement and staff wellbeing.

Highlights

In the nine months of operation during 2019/2020, SparkLab received 89,717 visitors. This included 44,467 visitors engaging in experiments at the Science Bar (SparkLab 2020a); 30,892 visitors working on Maker Space challenges (SparkLab 2020b); and engaging 8,838 visitors with our interactive globe for Science on a Sphere Explorations (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2019; SparkLab 2020c)
In March 2020, as COVID-19 cases began to rise in Australia, the Queensland Museum closed its doors
On June 22, the Queensland Museum and SparkLab reopened to the public

Summary

Introduction

In the nine months of operation during 2019/2020, SparkLab received 89,717 visitors. This included 44,467 visitors engaging in experiments at the Science Bar (SparkLab 2020a); 30,892 visitors working on Maker Space challenges (SparkLab 2020b); and engaging 8,838 visitors with our interactive globe for Science on a Sphere Explorations (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2019; SparkLab 2020c). With this focus on learner-led interactive programming, and the high volume of visitors, the pandemic has resulted in a challenging process to develop safe methods that still achieve the objectives and vision of SparkLab. COVID-19 AND THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM Visitors are required to complete contact tracing forms and agree to COVID-Safe practices on entry (Queensland Museum 2020).

Results

Conclusion