Janus : a passport to the National museum for science, techniques and industries

Janus process took place at the National museum for science, techniques and industries of La Villette. Its purpose was to experiment the didactic and museologic value of about fifteen items prefiguring the permanent exhibitions of the museum. The reaction of the various people representative of potential visitors have revealed how important the exhibition apparatus is to understand the message. It appears then that if sollicitation for game is not a barrier to receptivity, the spectacle without outdistance will not help to understand the scientific message. On the other hand, the efficiency of the media is obvious first when the use of the selected items does not differ from their original function, and second, when the items have been created especially for the purpose of the manipulation and have no equivalent elsewhere. It appears that the public is expecting more explanations not only on the phenomena presented, but also on the "backstage", that is on the various techniques adopted in setting the exhibitions.
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