The Path Optimization Of Science Education Function In Large-Scale Popular Science And Technology Museums In China

As an important position of science education,large-scale popular science and technology museums have played an active role in promoting the civic scientific literacy.In the world today,with the development of science and technology,citizens' needs for popular science education are also witnessing profound changes.Under such background,the function of science education in large-scale popular science and technology venues in China has not only met great opportunities,but also faces severe challenges.From the perspective of structural functionalism theory,this paper uses literature research,comparative research,case analysis,interviews and other methods to explore the path optimization of science education function in large-scale popular science and technology museums in China,taking Shanghai Science and Technology Museum as an example.This paper believes that since the founding of the People's Republic of China,especially since the reform and opening up,China's large-scale popular science and technology museums have made remarkable progress in their construction and development,focusing on attracting teenage to visit and learning,and organizing daily science exhibitions and themed exhibitions,going deeply into primary and secondary schools and communities.However,as demonstrated by Shanghai Science and Technology Museum,China's large-scale popular science and technology museums generally have the following shortcomings in the realization of popular science education functions such as the weakness of the exhibition education function,the narrow target audience,the slow response to social needs,the single form of popular science education,and the out-dated content of exhibition display.The main reasons for the above problems are the strong administrative color of the management system,the shortage of scienceprofessionals,the lack of innovation awareness and ability,the bias of the understanding of the functions of large-scale popular science museums,and the lack of mobilization and integration of internal and external resources,etc.Based on this,in order to optimize the realization path of the popular science education function of large-scale science museums in China,we should learn from the successful experience of Ontario Science Center in Canada,taking the following measures in combination with China's actual situation.First,we should correct the understanding of the function positioning of large-scale popular science museums,will be able to make science education as core,and meeting audience demand as the starting point.Secondly,the interior of the museum should be closely around science education in order to dilute the administrative color of internal institutions,taking “project department” as the subject,and strengthening coordination among them.Third,to achieve timely changes in the content and form of popular science education through updating display content timely from the perspective of technologica l development and social needs,expanding science education stage to the society based on the venue,as well as strengthening the interactive part of theme activities.Fourth,to expand and utilize social resources in the way of making efforts to gain support from social capital,introducing volunteers to make up the shortage of professionals in the museum,and enhancing cooperation with museums at home and abroad.Fifth,to achieve sustainable development by way of continuously improving the ability and quality of staff,strengthening independent research in respect of original projects and activities,cultivating strong scientific cultural atmosphere,and growing audience of science education.