Current Research
Impact
Increasingly, Science Discovery Centres have to provide solid evidence that they are achieving their stated outcomes.
Whether this information is for external funders or in-house, there is a need for evidence of positive impact. Short-term is relatively easy to assess; long-term much less so.
Techniquest Definition of Impact
Techniquest’s mission is to engage people with science and motivate them to learn more.
People are engaged when they participate in activities that hold fast their attention. Holding attention can mean eliciting enjoyment, surprise, delight, understanding, inspiration, and empowering the visitor to engage with science.
Techniquest can be said to be making a short-term impact when people become involved in its science activities and show evidence of enjoyment and interest. This in turn may contribute to the acquisition of new knowledge and understanding.
A long-term impact is made when there is a change in attitude, behaviour or knowledge as a result of that engagement or when an existing interest is sustained and reinforced.
At Techniquest a framework has been adapted that is widely used in museums in the UK. This is our tool for measuring impact and seeks evidence of five learning outcomes called the Generic Learning Outcomes (GLOs). These were first proposed by the Research Centre for Museums and Galleries at Leicester University under the direction of Professor Eilean Hooper-Greenhill.
Museums, Libraries and Archives Definition of Learning
“Learning is a process of active engagement with experience. It is what people do when they want to make sense of the world. It may involve the development or deepening of skills, knowledge, understanding, awareness, values, ideas and feelings, or an increase in the capacity to reflect. Effective learning leads to change, development and the desire to learn more”
This definition encompasses lifelong learning through a variety of learning styles and in a wide variety of settings, formal and informal.
It also encompasses a broad range of learning outcomes including creativity, inspiration, enjoyment, and an appetite to learn more.
