Twenty-fifth International Conference on Learning

Abstract

Among the experiments used in Science Centers and Museums some of them stand out for calling and holding more attention of visitors. The characteristics of these experiments, by emitting sounds, lights, colors or causing any kind of surprise when visitors interact with them, turn them into venues for Non-formal Education sites. These devices were called by the authors of surprising experiments, because they caused diverse sensations to the visitors. Within itinerant scientific divulgation projects in parks and schools, these experiments are present in the exhibitions often mounted on tables. In this work, we identify and discuss the influence of the characteristics of these experiments on the motivation and behavioral change of the visitors present in the Centers and Museums of Science and on the itinerant actions of Scientific Divulgation. We could observe that both the surprising and the challenging experiments had a great influence in increasing of the intrinsic levels of motivation of the visitors, changing the behavior towards the elements of the exhibition, improving the quality of the interaction and stimulating the interest and the curiosity of the visitors.