When we think of natural history museums, most of us picture dinosaurs, fossils, and wildlife displays. Yet today, many leading museums are expanding this picture by telling the human stories behind scientific discovery. This study explored the Changing Face of Science exhibition series at the Field Museum in Chicago, which features the personal and professional journeys of scientists and science educators from diverse backgrounds. Rather than focusing only on scientific discoveries, these exhibitions invite visitors to meet the people behind the science, learn about their journeys, the challenges they have faced, and how gender, culture, and personal experiences have shaped their scientific careers.
Our research examined how these exhibitions connect science with values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. Through an in-depth analysis of exhibition narratives, we developed a new theoretical framework that describes seven ways natural history museums can integrate Nature of Science with social justice perspectives in their exhibitions.
Contribution
The findings offer practical insights for museums, educators, and policymakers around the world. They provide guidance for designing exhibitions that help visitors not only to engage with science, they encourage visitors to understand how science develops within social, cultural, and historical contexts, and why it is important that everyone can see themselves as part of the scientific community.
By highlighting the connections between science and society, this research helps strengthen scientific literacy, foster a greater sense of belonging among diverse audiences, and support museums as educational spaces that promote a more inclusive and equitable society.
Full article: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-025-00708-2
Authors: Anna Pshenichny-Mamo, Dr. Wilton Lodge, and Prof. Dina Tsybulsky
Biology Education Research Group: https://biologygroup.net.technion.ac.il/
