Micro-Museum of Science: Development of a New Method of Science Education

Abstract

We have developed a new method in science education. We call this method the “Micro-Museum of Science” (MMS). The aim of the development is to create a scientific experience for children in rural areas. The MMS was designed as a compact system that can be adapted for small schools. It consists of five series to facilitate experiential learning: (A) Energy, (B) Light, (C) Heat, (D) Mathematics, and (E) Sound. Since each series can be separated from the MMS, it is easily portable. These features allow us to hold events on science education in schools located far from our college. In general, children in rural areas have fewer opportunities to experience science because of the lack of facilities like science museums. We propose an educational method that will provide these children with valuable opportunities to experience science. In this paper, we report that the MMS was successful in achieving this goal, and most participants of the MMS stated that this method was more effective than other methods of teaching like science lectures.