Science Learning in Non-formal Settings
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Date
2024
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Abstract
Non-formal science education settings, such as zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, science centers, and museums, can significantly contribute to people’s interest and understanding of science and public participation in science-related civic issues. In Latin America, the emergence of these settings was late, but they increasingly present characteristics of the identity and context of the region. This chapter aims to discuss specific issues in the context of museums in Latin America, rethinking how science education is conducted in these countries, in order to understand the existing diversity and advance practices that promote equality and social inclusion in the context of the demands of Latin American audiences. In particular, the barriers and potentialities of the physical contexts of these settings are discussed, and human mediation is proposed as an important tool to transform visits to these spaces into more inclusive experiences.