Museu do Amanhã: uma nova proposta de museu de ciência?

Abstract

This thesis aims to identify what is innovative in the recently created Museum of Tomorrow (MT) as a science museum, specifically as a contemporary proposal for scientific dissemination. The research is structured as follows. In the theoretical section we consider changes in the approaches on the relationship between science and public, pointing to the current tendency to consider the public as a prominent actor in the activities of scientific dissemination. Next, we consider the historical transformations of the museums of science and the attempts to classify them in specific types of museums, a review that points to the strengthening of the concept of education for the general public. The following section, on the context of the public communication of science and museums in Brazil, reveals efforts to institutionalize this research field, its educational role, as well as the identification of scientific interests and needs of the population revealed by the various researches carried out. The subsequent description of the Museum of Tomorrow and the analysis of its museological proposal show its great repercussion, as well as its emphasis on the promotion of meetings between social actors (people and organizations) in an environment that contributes to discussions, raising ideas and projects for the future of humanity that will subsidize decisions contributing to minimize the consequences of the Anthropocene. The main empirical focus of the thesis - the interviews with the MT idealizers, as well as education managers - reveals what they consider as innovation in the MT and as its proposal of public communication in science. In the perspective of the idealizers, the various inspirations that gave origin to the museum and their appreciation of the educational role of the museum seeking behavioural changes - of the visitor and of the public in general towards the environment - are highlighted. In the speeches of education managers, proposals, actions and challenges related to communication with the multiplicity of publics stand out, as well as their efforts aimed at attracting and valuing the participation of members of the surrounding neighbourhood, a region of historical tradition and specific social and cultural needs.