어린이 인지발달을 위한 과학관의 감각체험 공간특성에 관한 연구

Abstract

Science museums have been developed constantly as a experience area where people can participate in communication with display out of obit of traditional role they had played as a simple exhibition area. Government also has a plan to change paradigm of science museums from the focus on education and study to the focus on play and game mixing science and art to make museums play as a fusion area for spectators` creativity, imagination, communication, and cooperation. So, straying out of traditional orbit, science museums can be expected to play the new role where people can participate in various exhibit contents and where people can experience science using various senses, furthermore as the place where people can experience high-tech devices, science simulator, high-tech robots, etc. In the science museums of the other countries, spectators can experience display of the places through five senses up to stimulate their imagination and creativity over simple touch. Science museums can be also the landmark of the local area which show special concepts or symbolism of the city over a simple exhibit building. Recently, science museums in Korea have been absorbed these trend and have studied them to use future-oriented and differentiated exhibit contents. In this study, we tried to analyze the characteristics of experience area for children`s cognitive development process in science museums. In section 1 chapter 2, the characteristics of children`s cognitive development process are studied and spatial elements which can develop children`s cognitive development process are proposed being focused on cognitive development aspect. In section 2 chapter 2, sensory experience in science museum for children is defined, then spatial elements for sensory experience in exhibit hall are deducted. Based on the result, in section 3 chapter 2, the relationship between children`s cognitive development and sensory experience is suggested, then, the elements on spatial characteristics where sensory experience for children`s cognitive development is implemented are deducted. The criteria for case analysis in chapter 3 were formed based on the result of chapter 2. The 4 museums of the case study were selected and visited among national science museum which are belonging to the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future planning, which located in Seoul or nearby, which are relatively bigger than others, and which have the growth potential. The 4 museums are the exhibit spaces in which active exhibit experience can be implemented and in which cognitive abilities are used well. Children up to the lower grade in elementary school were selected and the selected museums have permanent exhibition rooms and form sensory specialized programs. This study suggests that sensory experience can be effective method for children`s cognitive development and can be helpful for children to understand difficult scientific principles. Experience elements, media traits, and sensuous traits are analyzed through sensory experience in science museum. The characteristics of sensory experience spaces are suggested in which children`s specific cognitive characteristics can be stimulated and developed. Conceptual study shows the characteristics of children`s repetitive activity, imagination stimulation activity, manual operation activity for changeable object, and operation activity for logical thinking can improve cognitive ability. Science museum should be the comprehensive experience space for these various activities. Children are effected by surroundings and all the elements when growing and they grow through endless interaction. Science museum can help children to learn from the basic science principles to the creative thinking by experience exhibit. The sensory experience program in science museum should be developed constantly and new media should be induced to stimulate children`s senses. The 4 museums are using display which can be experienced directly by children and are using operation models and digital images most. Simple operation activity and body activity were being used also. For the future of the science museums, more experience activities sould be prepared to help children to form various logical thinking and to stimulate imagination. I hope more development on this topic could be achieved by further studies and more researchers.