Biographical
1. Derek was working as a youth worker on an under fives "playbus" before starting at Techniquest. Prior to that, he was working as a Sociologist (?). He saw a sign: "Wanted People ove[BL1]r 40 to work as a helper" and decided to apply for the job. He started in 1995.
2. Derek studied Geography, Geology and Physics at A Level. He failed physics but says that because he studied the subject it seems "common sense" to him. He is not a trained scientist but has learned a great deal about s[BL2]cience since joining Techniquest: "Some times you can fool people into thinking you're actually a sci[BL3]entist". However, he is not confident in all areas of science, and only gives demonstrations on subjects that he is comfortable with.
General
3. Derek says that science is a way of "exploring the world around you". He talks in terms of subject areas, Physics (the way things move), Biology and Chemistry.1 He states a personal interest in Geography and Geology. In response to the question "Do you think that your view of science corresponds with that of TQ as an institution?" He says that at Techniquest people follow their own interests[BL4]. "Some people are very interested in DNA - so DNA is very important. Some people are very interested in music - so music is very important. Which ever bit they're working in is always very important". In an ideal world Derek would feed the theme of sustai[BL5]nability throughout all of Techniquest.
4. Of the old TQ he particularly remembers an optical illusion in the entrance hall2, a solar panel exhibit and the Bernoulli blower.
Performance of Science
5. Derek describes science centres as places where you can discover science by "doing[BL6]" things. He says that lots of people don't recognize the scien[BL7]ce in the world around them. He talks about the importance of trying to get people "involved[BL8]" in science. He talks about the value of "playing" and discusses different types of fun (for example the pleasure of something happening or the fun of discovery).
6. He does not like the term edutainment - but does believe in trying to educate people in an entertaining way.
Science for All
7. Derek believes that TQ is a place where there should be something for everyone. In order to invoke this concept he often talks about different "levels" of engagement, understanding etc.
"Age Ra[BL9]nges" and "background"
8. Derek talks about the difficulty in getting teenagers to "take part". However, he says that there are a huge range of factors that may affect a group and "It's a lot to do with the bac[BL10]kground of the school. He says that some schools have "almost" been banned because of their behavior at Techniquest.
Dockside Community School
9. Dockside Community School comes every week. When they first came: "They were all over the science theatre". You had to keep an eye on them. Now: they know the ter[BL11]minology and are very good. They tend to come for the show and not for the exhibition.
Techniquest Activities/Methods/Themes/Spaces
General
10. Derek talks about the[BL12]med and non-themed spaces. The exhibit hall is not themed but all the other spaces are themed. He also says that each space uses a different method to get information across.
The exhibit hall
11. People are left to their own and can "flit" from place to place. This is a space for general "edutainment". Exhibits in this space are "static" [BL13](by which he means exhibits tend to stay there for a long time).
The planetarium
12. Used for either story time or Astronomy. Information is delivered via a pre-prepared video tape or a live presenter. Derek says that tests have been done which prove that the live presenter is the most effective way of communicating science.
The Hub
13. A changeable space. Run by Heather
The Science Theatre
14. Information is imparted via a set script. A range of communication techniques are used in the Science Theatre which include:
a. Overlarge props, Visual images and PowerPoint.
b. The props and techniques used are intended to reinforce the scientific message and/or make the show more memorable.
15. Derek points out that the National Curriculum and ideas come first and then they think: 'what is good way of demonstrating this.'[BL14]'The process of producing a show can therefore be summarized as: National curriculum >>> ideas for script >>>> Script >>>>>> methods of communication'
16. One of the advantages of having a live show is that people can put their own personality onto the show, as long as they stick to the main ideas. His approach is to use the script as an "outline", "order" or "flow".3 He often uses ideas that he has picked up from his "everyday life".
17. The Science Theatre can create the "Wow Feeling", [BL15]as demonstrated by the "Woooo" sounds from the audience. It enables people to see things being done that cannot be done elsewhere. It is also a fun place: blowing things up and freezing things is fun!
The Lab:
18. Is a space for experimenting, investigating and finding thing out. People work in small groups.
The National Curriculum
19. The educational shows are designed to fit in with the National Curriculum. However fitting in with National Curriculum Criteria is not enough - the shows need to be popular or else they will not run the following year[BL16].
Knowledge Sharing
20. There is no centralized system for sharing knowledge. Generally Derek knows who to ask or where to go if he wants to get a particular piece of information.
Criticisms of Techniquest
21. Derek feels that the primary colours make Techniquest look like a "playground" which might put some people off.
22. Doesn't have time to sit down and reflect upon what he is going to do next and what he has done.
1 Evette, by way of contrast, does not think of science in terms of subjects.
2 Optical illusion is called "impossible triangle" (see Evette's interview)
3 Evette also talks about the "flow" of a show.
[BL1] Techniquest aiming to represent a cross section of its community in its staff. Have similar requests gone out for "Asian" workers or "Female" staff?
[BL2]Techniquest has a "motivational" effect on its staff as well as on members of the public.
[BL3]Legitimacy: Does one have to be a scientist in order to teach science?
[BL4]Personal vision and idiosyncrasy play a role in determining what gets produced at Techniquest.
[BL5]An admission that science is not a neutral? To engage with science is to accept social responsibility.
[BL6] A belief in the power of action and doing is central to TQ's philosophy.
[BL7]One of the aims of Techniquest is to make people 'see' the 'invisible' science in the world around them,
[BL8]Derek frequently uses the word "involved". Does he mean galvanize? Remember TQ's vision:
"to establish the critical role of science within popular culture by providing people with direct
access to scientific phenomena, principles, applications and issues"
[BL9] Techniquest regularly discriminates by age. They occasionally discrimination by learning ability. They rarely (or never) openly discrimination by race or gender. They do not openly discriminate by class, but they do run various "outreach" programs for hospitals and disadvantaged groups.
[BL10]By background I assume he means class
[BL11]What kind of learning is going on here? Is Dockside Community Schools "improvement" in behavior due to a new found love of science or, alternatively has the school merely learnt the terms of engagement with TQ?
[BL12]"theming" is an important method via which science is made meaningful at Techniquest.
[BL13]The exhibits in the hall do not change very often - this allows members of the public to develop a long term relationship with the exhibits. They can revisit an exhibit over week, months or years and get to "know" it. One of the things that I discovered in my initial familiarization period is that the exhibit hall gets "better" over time. I think that Heath might have also commented on this.
[BL14]Derek is clearly separating the science from the communication of the science.
[BL15]The desire to create the "wow" factor is common across education, exhibits and public programs. However, the what are the differences to the way that the "wow" is produced in a show (where there is large, captive and seated, audience) and on the exhibit hall (where people wander in small groups)?
[BL16]The commercial imperative determines what will be produced, even in the education program.