Training museum professionals to tinker sustainably in the Netherlands
Together with the Dutch Association of Science Museums and Science Centers (VSC), NEMO organised a tinkering training in NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam. On the 21st of April 2024, the museum professionals and informal educators got to know the developed activities and explored ways to implement sustainability and tinkering in their own institutions.
The participants experienced the hands-on methodology by constructing a marble run and a kinetic sign with reusable materials. After discussing the coaching, sustainability and tinkering disposition they experienced, NEMO introduced the eleven activities developed for Tink@School in the context of possible museum activities. As a closing activity, they discussed and explored ways to implement tinkering and more sustainable practices in their respective environments.
To build their marble run and kinetic sign, the museum professionals used reusable and recyclable materials that can easily be found around an office or at home. For the marble run, for example, they used rulers and fruit nets to guide the marble on their way. The kinetic signs were made from cardboard, paper, and other materials that would otherwise be thrown away and highlighted topics like vaccination, curiosity and sea level rise.
Tips on modifying the activity were also shared. For example, the base boards of the kinetic sign were on the smaller side to ensure a shorter activity.
It was wonderful to see the professionals think about ways to implement the methodology in their museums!
