Multimedia support for informal learning of science and technology

The growing number of public policy issues which have a scientific or technical dimension requires that a significant proportion of a population develop a level of scientific literacy which enables them to participate meaningfully in the democratic resolution of such debates. Public understanding of science may have important consequences for public reception and interpretation of scientific media reports or other public information about scientific phenomena. Museums are one of the significant media or communication channels of scientific and technical knowledge between the sender, that is the scientist and technologist, and the receiver, that is the public. This paper presents a front-end evaluation study which included observations and interviews to inform the design process of an interactive multimedia system to support an exhibit in a science museum and enhance, thereby, the public understanding of scientific principles.