Such computer-based interactives are welcomed by Colin Humphreys, former fellow in the public understanding of physics at the Institute of Physics. He also agrees with the Science Museum that it is important to stress the relevance of science to people’s everyday lives, but he warns that other areas should not be neglected. “We really want to attract top students to science, so it is important to emphasize excitement and intellectual challenge too,” he explains.
Making the Modern World also draws mixed views from Humphreys. “I think it’s a good idea in concept,” he says,” but my feeling would be to intersperse it with some hands-on things so that people get more involved in it.” Graham Durant, manager of science, exhibits and education at the Glasgow Science Centre disagrees that all exhibitions need to be so active. “Visitors behave differently in different settings, and a mix of quiet contemplation and vigorous activity can work well in the same institution.” He says that focusing on a selected number of objects without the background “noise” of a fully developed interpretative exhibition is an excellent idea.
© IOP Publishing Ltd. Reproduced with permission.http://physicsweb.org