Strategies and Tools for Improving Earth Science Education and Popularization in Museums

Abstract

Earth Science literacy is a key prerequisite to enhancing public awareness of geoheritage at the local and global level. Museums can be a key to boosting science literacy: Therefore, improving their educational potential should be a major goal for the whole geoscience community. Our methodological discussion is specifically centered on the Earth Sciences as these encompass a wide range of topics that might be suitable for science education and popularization; however, our observations could be applicable to all kinds of topics that may be illustrated in museums. We specifically focus on explanatory panels, which still play a key role in helping visitors make sense of what they are viewing in any kind of museum, especially scientific ones; we first consider the inadequacies that often characterize Earth Science exhibition panels; secondly, we put forward ways in which panels can be laid out so as to foster curiosity, enrich the exhibition-viewing experience and stimulate awareness of the need to protect, conserve and valorize geoheritage.