From uncertainty to a future full of science and technology exploration with a new generation.
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Bendigo’s Science and Discovery Centre is launching into a new world after coming close to closure in 2015.
Part of the centre taking on the “final fun-tier” is having some original Discovery kids bringing their own children to Discovery.
The science centre’s staff is eager to hear from patrons young and old about what the next generation of science fun should hold for Discovery.
Online surveys have been designed for every type of Discovery user with the community consultation launched last Thursday – International Museums Day.
“International Museum day is a perfect opportunity to boldly go into the future,” Discovery president Ann Lansberry said.
“This year’s theme, Hyperconnected museums: New approaches, new publics, is exactly what we’re aiming to achieve.”
“With input from both users and non-users of our centre, we can create a strategy to approach government, business and philanthropists to build our new vision.”
One of the key areas of the consultation will revolve around making and creating spaces.
“Imagination, creativity, teamwork, learning from mistakes, these are all sought after skills which can be developed through fun programs at Discovery,” Ms Lansberry said.
“What we need to do is balance this new and engaging way of learning science & technology with current favourites like the Bendigo Planetarium and the infamous Vertical Slide.”
Board member and long time Discovery enthusiast Hannah Arnold said the centre was eager to hear from the community about what Discovery should focus on.
“It’s about finding out what the community wants. It’s great to put my opinion in but we want to hear from everyone,” she said.
“Whether it is introducing virtual reality or finding exhibitions that focus on a specific topic, we need to hear about it. Otherwise it’s hard to know where we should focus.”
Ms Arnold said Discovery has always been a big part of her life.
“My mum took me to Discovery the day before I started school and I had my sixth birthday here,” she said.
“It was a big part of my educational journey and inspired my interest in a lot of different things particularly the stars.
“At university I was a marketing intern here and when I finished I was offered a position.
“I’ve been on the board for a year and after joining the team (as an intern) just after the community saved (Discovery).”