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Oslo Science Centre

Oslo Science Centre at The Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology is a popular science experience and learning centre for technology, natural sciences and mathematics. The science centre is an arena where visitors can experience, learn or renew their knowledge on their own terms. Oslo Science Centre is the country's oldest science centre, established in 1986. There are now 13 regional science centres in Norway with a total of over 1 million visitors in 2022.

One of The Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology 's most important tasks is to actively contribute to science recruitment, which is part of the museum's mission to spread knowledge about technology, industry, science and medicine to the general public. Through Oslo Science Centre and its school activities, the museum works to create enthusiasm for the disciplines and provide knowledge about and interest in this. The school activities are strongly linked to curricula and the schools' educational goals. The museum works to more clearly integrate school activities with Oslo Science Centre and make the science centre a good arena for learning. 

Operating funds come from the Ministry of Education and Research through the Research Council of Norway. The mandate is to work towards increased interest and recruitment to natural science studies and professions. The Research Council's development plan for the period 2021-2024 points to the following measures: 

  • Further develop and increase the use of the exhibitions 
    Oslo Science Centre's new mascot “Brikke” has been introduced through the upgrade of the mathematics area in the centre. An animated version of the mascot welcomes you in and down the first staircase to the science centre, where the staircase has also received a facelift in 2022. The science centre has also refurbished the planetarium and the Teknoteket creative workshop. 

    In connection with the new I/O exhibition, the science centre has worked on how the activities in the creative workshops can be linked to the exhibition. Two new teaching offers have been developed for this exhibition, one on the use of artificial intelligence linked to the programming tool Micro:bit, and one on creative programming and algorithmic art (sisyphus sand printers).
  • Contribute to increased science capital among the general public (Science Capital) 
    Science capital is defined as science-related qualifications (interests, knowledge, skills and social contacts). The Science Centre does this, among other things, by offering various learning paths, where the intention is that the public will be helped to understand connections and contexts. Empirical evidence shows that parts of Oslo's population do not take advantage of the museum's offerings. There are many reasons for this, but it is important to be visible in environments outside the museum's four walls. During 2022, science shows were held at Deichmann's branches. The project with creative activities at three youth clubs in Groruddalen, funded by BUFdir, was completed in June. In the summer of 2022, residents of the old Oslo and Bjerke districts were offered free tickets to the museum, which was a great success.
  • Further develop the regional role of science centres 
    Oslo Science Centre is the regional science centre for Oslo and parts of Viken. Through outreach activities to schools and libraries, we increase the visibility of the science centre and the museum in Oslo. The science centre is a member of the Science Centre Association in Norway, which now counts 13 centres plus a couple of branches spread across the country. During 2022, the Creator School project was concluded, but there are plans to continue the collaboration within the theme. The project was funded by the Sparebankstiftelsen DNB. In 2023, there will be a Teacher Course in Creator School Methodology (DeKomp) in collaboration with the Municipality of Oslo and the Science Centre at UiO. The student deliveries in programming for the Technological School Backpack (Super:bit) were completed in June. In the 2022/23 school year, the focus of the Super:bit project is programming teacher courses within and outside the museum. Super:bit is funded by the Ministry of Education and Research. The Science Talent Center was established as a pilot project at the science centers in Tromsø, Trondheim, Bergen and Oslo in 2016. From 2020, this has become a permanent offer at six regional science centers. The Science Talent Center is funded by the Ministry of Education and Research.