Negotiated agendas: families in science and technology museums

Abstract

This paper argues for the importance of museum professionals and policy makers to understand the expectations and perceptions of family groups. Family agendas influence the way the visit is perceived and accounted for. On the other hand, the museum agenda – that is the overall aim of the museum as well as its expectations for the visitor experience – influences the agenda of the family. This paper aims to give an insight into how family groups make sense of their visit to a hands-on museum and to discuss their experience in their own terms, including their perceptions of interactive science exhibitions.