Out of the laboratory and into the knowledge economy: A context for the evolution of New Zealand science centres

The establishment of science centres in New Zealand coincided with reforms of the way scientific research was conducted and funded and a low-point in career prospects for scientists. For political and financial reasons, most New Zealand science centres sacrificed their independence and became associated with museums and now receive much of their funding through local authorities. This could have assisted in their promotion of the public understanding of science; but the availability of educational funding through a “Learning Experiences Outside the Classroom” scheme motivated the development of educationally oriented programmes targeted to school-children. Despite this emphasis, there is no firm evidence that the centres have had any influence in increasing the popularity of science within education. Moreover, the centres have become perceived predominantly as places for children. International trends suggest that regaining the adult audience might be possible through greater emphasis on scientific research outcomes and their social and economic implications, rather than interactive exhibits portraying scientific principles through idealized and simplified laboratory experiments. In New Zealand, the popularity of science festivals — initiated a few years ago — and the recent growth of café scientifiques, offer promise in this direction. Additional funding for these and research-based exhibitions might yet come from a component of research grants being required to be spent on the promotion of research to the public.