The evolution of the narrative at natural history dioramas

Abstract

This article explores the power of narratives, facilitated educational tours connecting museum exhibits and dioramas through thematic storytelling, given by young adults in an inquiry-infused model. The study, which was conducted at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, USA, looks at the importance of using such narratives in educational contexts, and how they change based on the interests, prior knowledge, observations and questions of tour participants. Going further, it advances our understanding about the value of having well trained facilitators engaging visitors in conversations about science that stem from the visitors prior knowledge and interests.