Science Museums and Science Education

This essay discusses educational perspectives in science museums. It places a particular focus on the potential afforded by recent changes in the understanding of science education. Issues raised by the “Nature of Science” approach have gained substantial relevance in the educational discussion during the last decades. These changes are sketched and their potential for educational approaches in science museums is outlined. The “Whole Science” approach and the storytelling approach are discussed in greater detail, especially the way practical experiences are combined with theoretical considerations.