Techniquest has an exciting development strategy, to be achieved though an ambitious five-year plan. This plan aims to build on our success and increase our impact. So, what’s in store for Techniquest in future?
Society is more complex, more interconnected, and more reliant on science and technology than ever before. We believe that an effective interface between people and science is of increasing importance. It is vital for Wales to have the skills to support and develop its infrastructure and to achieve a successful and sustainable economy. It is also crucial that the general public is able to engage in the science issues affecting all our lives.
Techniquest’s mission is therefore of huge importance, and we are committed to making the best possible use of our skills, experience and resources to enthuse, motivate and engage more people. We have looked closely at how we do this and have decided on the following objectives.
Our aims are:
- within Wales to redouble our efforts to overcome the two key obstacles to participation in science: distance and disadvantage
- outside Wales to develop Techniquest’s reputation as a world leader in ‘regionalisation’ - that is, developing excellent 'on the ground' services throughout its region
- to pursue a long-term plan to develop methodologies to better measure our impact on society
- to maintain the quality of our interactive exhibits, but make greater use of digital media, TV and radio to get our messages across
- to carry out environmental enhancements to our Cardiff Bay site in the short term
- to undertake more substantial changes at our Cardiff Bay site in order to utilise currently unused space in the medium term
- to sell more high quality, proven interactive exhibits at low prices
- to increase our fundraising activity and our focus on developing partnerships to help us to deliver our mission.
1. Overcoming obstacles to participation
As an organisation, Techniquest is already well established within Wales, but we wish to reach many more of the population. Our research has shown that two major obstacles hold us back: distance and disadvantage. The first major objective is therefore:
- within Wales to redouble our efforts to overcome the twin obstacles to participation in science: distance and disadvantage
We have an array of plans to tackle this, including more community outreach and greater use of digital media. Our largest plans however involve working to offer more services to schools within Wales. We see schools as the natural venues within which to reach a cross-section of the population, including in particular those children for whom an appreciation of the value of learning and interest in science is not necessarily as strong. Of course schools have the added benefit of having professional and skilled staff on site! By working closely with the formal education system, and by developing appropriate resources, training and support, we believe we can make a major difference here. A variety of techniques can be used, from making available high quality resources, to support and training for teachers.
2. Regionalisation
Techniquest has gained an enviable worldwide reputation within our field, and has become a significant player overseas, regularly working with science centres and educators across the world to develop and improve their services. During the review we have considered how we can best continue to contribute to the field overseas and elsewhere in the UK. We decided that our innovation and experience of ‘regionalisation’ was of greatest value, and our aim is to:
- develop Techniquest’s reputation as a world leader in ‘regionalisation’
Thanks to the stable support of the Welsh Assembly Government, Techniquest has developed strong roots within Wales since its doors first opened nearly 20 years ago. The distinctive Techniquest experience is now offered extensively within Wales, at our flagship science centre in Cardiff Bay, at other sites across the Principality and through a variety of outreach programmes. As we now take this further forwards, with plans such as virtual networks, dispersed ‘hubs’, and two-way channels for expertise and ideas, the expertise and methods we are developing will, we hope, be a major contribution to our field worldwide.
3. Measuring impact
Techniquest already evaluates its exhibitions and programmes to help achieve our desired outcomes, and we intend to strengthen this further. However, this does not provide clear information about the wider impact of our work on society. We are not alone in this; it is notoriously difficult to measure motivational and behavioural changes where the effects are indirect and long-term. Indeed, the underlying psychology of motivation and affective learning is not as well understood as they are in other forms of learning. This led us to the next conclusion:
- to pursue a long-term plan to develop methodologies to measure our impact on society.
We already have a strong background in research, for example, through our links with various universities. As a science centre, we do not have the full range of research skills and resources to do this on our own, and so we will work with specialists and partners to achieve this. Our aim is to achieve the first clear results in five years time. A new post of Head of Research and Evaluation has been created, and will lead on this aspect of our plans.
4. Media
Techniquest is renowned as an innovative exhibit designer and developer. Over the years we have excelled in creating new exhibits on all aspects of science and many of our designs can be seen in other science centres worldwide. However, the big changes in communication technologies in the recent years have provided new ways to reach audiences, leading to the next part of our plans:
- to maintain the quality of our interactive exhibits, but make greater use of digital media, TV and radio to get our messages across
Our interactive exhibits remain as popular as ever, but we believe that by carefully using new technologies too we can engage more diverse audiences, more effectively. Additionally, the web and other digital media will allow us to elicit audiences’ views on social and ethical issues or to keep them updated on contemporary science research. We aim to work with established organisations, such as those in the broadcast media, to reach new audiences, and have identified those aged 14-19 years as one of our main target audiences with which we will use new media.
5. Cardiff Bay site
Whilst our plans include substantial expansion of outreach across Wales, the Cardiff Bay site will remain the flagship and the ‘hub’ around which this Wales-wide activity is supported. However, as a result of investment in the Bay, changes are needed to ensure that the building works to its maximum potential in the new surroundings.
This leads to the next two main goals:
- to carry out environmental enhancements to our Cardiff Bay site in the short term
- to undertake more substantial changes at our Cardiff Bay site to utilise currently unused space in the medium term
We have stunning plans to develop our entrance to the east side of the building, to develop exhibits outside the building and to achieve a number of other cost-effective improvements inside the building, adding to the experience of visitors to Cardiff Bay as a whole, and to the comfort of our visitors.
The second phase requiring greater investment will build on these initial changes and focus on using unused space on site to its best advantage. Opening up more exhibition space for temporary exhibitions is a key priority, as is providing better facilities for our planned increase in working with schools and teachers Wales-wide.
6. Commercial strategy
Techniquest has a very successful trading arm, generating income to support our mission. We are a leader in hiring and selling high quality exhibits and resources to science centres, exhibitions and festivals. To build on this success we have decided to further strengthen this activity, improving our ability to:
- sell more high quality, proven interactive resources at low prices
Our trading company is to put in place improved production methods, making top quality exhibits available at even lower prices. Our very busy in-house design team and prototyping facilities will also be improved, and when ever possible we will make these available to external clients. Book early!
7. Fundraising and partnerships
Techniquest is widely recognised as one of the best science centres worldwide and we have a long history of working with partners to share our skills and enrich our projects. However, our current plans require an even stronger focus on partnership working, and many will require start-up funding from external organisations. To this end, the final part of our new plans is:
- to increase our fundraising activity and focus on developing partnerships to help us to deliver our mission.
We have an ambitious, but achievable strategy that builds on the very best aspects of our success over the last two decades. However, this will only be achieved with the generous help of funders, donors and sponsors, and on developing partnerships with those who can help us in the delivery of our mission.
By researching and developing coherent and strong proposals, delivered by highly skilled teams, we aim to offer best value for money to all funders, tailoring our projects to their needs wherever possible.
Of course, it is possible to give only a snapshot of our strategy here. If you would like more information relating to this article, for example, if you would be interested in being involved in our audience research, or would like more details of our fundraising objectives or our business services, please email gen@techniquest.org.
We look forward to working with you!
Techniquest
June 2007
