Museum director Frode Meinich. Photo: Lars Opstad
In the period from 2019 to 2023, we have invested more than NOK 75 million in the development of more than 2,500 square meters of the museum and more exhibitions. Our goal is to meet our visitors with modern and current exhibitions. Two of the new highlights are the unique ICT exhibition I/O and the medical exhibition life and death. In the first, visitors are offered the opportunity to use artificial intelligence, with others' past experiences from the exhibition, to navigate through the exhibition. In the other, we focus on large and small medical themes and dilemmas throughout life. In the coming year, the brand new exhibition opens energy in the time of the climate crisis , and a temporary exhibition on models. We know that models fascinate children of all ages, and we have more than 700 models in our collections-everything from mining models from the 18th century to 3D-printed hand prostheses.
The museum building is getting old and needs constant maintenance. We have spent a lot of time in 2023 on upgrades and starting work on replacing our older ventilation systems. Three systems are now being installed and this is part of our continuous work for a more energy-efficient building. In existing exhibitions and premises, we are also replacing a large number of light sources with LEDs and better lighting control. Everything to make the building more climate-friendly. In addition, in 2023 we have expanded the car fleet with another electric van instead of a fossil fuel car. It is used by The Talent Centre for science teaching at upper secondary schools, the newly started branches in Oslo, Kongsberg and Larvik. We have also acquired an electric goods bicycle this year for marketing in central Oslo and goods transport in the local area.
It is pleasing to report that the summer visit has been very good this year as well. Many found their way to us. Most gratifying of all is that, according to our survey, 95% of the visitors want to return in 2023.
We have been active outside the museum's walls in more areas than The Talent Centre in 2023, with participation in several important and relevant events. Among other things, we have been a co-organiser at the Oslo Skaperfestival at Deichman Bjørvika, we have participated in Lego building at The Kids Are Alright at Aker Brygge, and not least at the World's Coolest Day at Akershus Fortress in collaboration with Sparebankstiftelsen DNB.
This summer we opened the doors to our protected coastal radio station at Rundemanen in Bergen. In collaboration with Museum Vest, we tempted with freshly baked waffles and coffee. 840 people made the trip up to the station on the Sundays we were open. It is a walk of almost an hour from Fløyen, and we are impressed that so many braved the weather and wind, and made the trip up to the station to learn about how important this coastal radio station has been for the whole of Norway.
After thorough preparations in the years that have passed, we start 2024 with energy in the time of the climate crisis. A brand new exhibition that really puts the current topic on the agenda. Here we highlight the connection and competition between fossil and renewable energy in a historical perspective, while also discussing possible solutions to the energy question in the future. In addition, our versatile weekend and holiday program, filled with exciting and educational activities and new exhibition openings, will still inspire and fascinate. We look forward to another year of continued speed for renewal, and will meet our visitors and partners with dedication and enthusiasm. We look forward to delivering engaging, knowledge -giving and fun experiences for everyone, also in 2024.
Thank you for joining us on the journey!
director at The Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology
Photo: Lars Opstad
Full speed under the Research Square at The Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology . Photo: Gro Synnøve Ellefsen
The Association of Friends
The purpose of the Association of Friends of The Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology is to contribute to the development of The Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology , and to be a forum for enthusiasts, companies and organizations with an interest in the museum's work and in technical and medical history. The association has its origins back to the museum's founders in 1914.
The number of memberships in the association is slowly increasing after the pandemic, and paid memberships in 2023 were 964.
The Friends' association's finances are based on the sale of annual tickets to the museum.
Membership offer in 2023
Family days The traditional family days organized by the association in collaboration with Tekna and NITO were organized in June and November, with record attendance in November. The purpose of the family days is to market the museum in the Norwegian technology environment, and to provide members and families with an expanded museum offer from external contributors.
Technology history lectures The monthly technology history lectures, which are a collaboration between Venneforeningen, Tekna, NITO and the museum, are a free offer and available to everyone.
Boat trip with the veteran ship DS Børøysund The traditional boat trip in the inner Oslofjord with the veteran ship DS Børøysund was organized in August for the members. Food and drink were served on the trip.
Museum projects In addition to the annual financial contribution, the museum receives financial support and volunteer efforts for projects in the museum.
- The industrial model, a miniature model of three industrial societies from the 50s with model trains, boats, cars, houses, artificial sea and waterfalls is very popular. Since 28 May 2021, the model train has been run 45,440 times, and has covered an impressive 2,957 km (that's longer than driving from Lindesnes to Nordkapp by car - which is 2,518 km)! The Venneforeningen has paid for and carried out the restoration of the model, and now provides ongoing maintenance and operation.
- The model railway . In 2023, the association of friends has continued to make operational improvements and ongoing maintenance on the large model railway, which the association bought for the museum in 2020.
Financial contribution
For 2023, the Friends Association will transfer NOK 337,175 to The Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology as compensation for members' free admission to the museum.
The association has its own secretariat and is formally and financially independent from The Norwegian Museum Of Science And Technology . The association is a member of the Norwegian Association of Museum Friends.