Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) board chair, Linda Conlon, has said that science centres are shifting away from an academic teaching approach as modern technology continues to offer new everyday learning.

According to Conlon, who is also chief executive of Newcastle’s International Centre for Life, over the last decade as information becomes accessible at a moment’s notice, there’s been a move away from the traditional ‘didactic’ approach, instead teaching visitors about the processes of science.

“We are really trying to help young people in particular to become better equipped, to have rewarding lives in the 21st century,” said Conlon, speaking to Attractions Management.

“It’s not now about retention of facts and knowledge, nowadays you don’t really even need to be able to spell because there’s a spell check, you don’t really need to be able to read a map because you’ve got sat nav and don’t need to be able to do mental arithmetic in your head because you’ve got a calculator on your phone. Facts are literally at our fingertips – we just Google it and we get the answer.”

According to the European Network of Science Centers and Museums (Ecsite), which last month held its 2016 Directors Forum, the evolution of the science centre means unusual partners are becoming common practice in scientific institutions, with things such as heritage elements being introduced in science centres and interactive exhibits appearing in museums.

As part of this evolution, science centres worldwide are adapting the approach they take in an attempt to better-engage with an ever-expanding millennial audience.

“For new audiences it’s not about retention of facts and knowledge,” said Conlon. “It’s about the process of science. Now we are placing great emphasis on team building, collaborative learning, and not being frightened to fail when you do something, so really trying to help young people acquire the skills they will need but not on what they are supposed to think.

“We’re experiencing a big, big shift in science centres and we recognise that is really where we can make a big contribution to modern learning.”