The European Network of Science Centres and Museums had already decided to implement the Ecsite prize in 2015. After Mariano Gago’s death in April this year, they decided to honor him with the award name.
Mariano Gago, the physical prestigious and Portuguese politician, was internationally honored by the European Network of Science Centres and Museums (Ecsite) at the annual meeting of the same. The prize named after the scientist who died in April this year was awarded to the Museum of Science and Technology Norwegian in Oslo, highlighting the creativity of the exhibition submitted to the competition.
To establish this annual prize, it was one of Rosalia Vargas objectives, president of the National Agency for Scientific and Technological Culture – Living Science and director of the Knowledge Pavilion in Lisbon, which ended this week the two-year term as president of Ecsite. The outgoing president explained to the Observer that the proposal to give the name of Mariano Gago came from one of the former presidents and current honorary member, Per-Edvin Persson and was accepted unanimously.
“It was natural to recognize the importance Mariano Gago had after we know of his death, “he told Per-Edvin Persson observer, president of the center of Heureka Finnish Science. “I really think of him as a champion of science centers in Europe. Always stressed the importance of good communication of science and the work that science centers do, “continued speaking not only a colleague but a friend. “Mariano Gago had much to say in terms of the European science policy.”
Rosalia Vargas and Per-Edvin Persson in Ecsite’s annual conference in Trento – DR
Mariano Gago put the emphasis on science in Portugal during the mandates in the Government – was twice Minister of Science and Technology between 1995 and 2002, and twice Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, between 2005 and 2011. Having the Life Science Agency It has been one of the most important legacies left.
Defender of the promotion of culture and science education, became one of the speakers invited to the annual meetings of Ecsite as to what took place from 11 to 13 June Trento, Italy. Per-Edvin Persson caveat the importance of perspective the policy maker that brought you to this conference. “He was an example of a policymaker very well trained and literary man who understood the importance of the work we do [in science communication]” , said the president of Eureka. “I understood that we need to bring science to society. And recognized the importance of the work we do in this direction. “
Mariano Gago Ecsite Awards prize this Thursday was awarded during the conference gala dinner intends exactly distinguish the work done by an institution of this network international. “It’s very important to recognize the work that our members have developed,” said Rosalia Vargas
There were 14 nominations for the prize which this year had as its motto:. Creativity. The winning exhibition, the Finnish institution, chose to join science and democracy, promote discussion and the voting power. Despite the success that has been achieved in the country of origin, Jan Alfred Andersson, director of the Science Center, admitted to the Observer that he never thought that such a small institution compared with other competing members, could win this award so important.
“It’s huge!” said Jan Alfred Andersson when the Observer asked him how important it was to have received this award. “Neither I have no words to describe it.” The center’s director believes that with Ecsite premium for this exhibition and the prize of Science Centres Association and American Technology (ASTC) that came with another exhibition can show nationally . their importance as a center and science museum
Jan Alfred Andersson think the secret of success is exactly the theme: “The theme itself is very current: freedom of speech, democracy, ethnic conflicts . We reached the center of discussion of modern Europe. “The director of the Center for Science does not hide the pride he has in achieving the goals he had for the exhibition. “First show that it is possible to combine the best of the museum world with the technological ideas and pedagogical visions of a science center. After putting science and technology in context. “
The President of the Finnish science center Heureka, Per-Edvin Persson, agrees that” the technology museums have to reinvent themselves, which have to integrate the perspective of museum with the science center “
In 2014, the Oslo Science Center has had to face a challenge:. find a way to mark the 100th anniversary of the Museum of Science and Technology Norwegian located in the city, but also the 200th anniversary of the Norwegian constitution. The fact that the science center belonging to the museum allowed them to win some potential obstacles. The museum had in the collections of the objects that were to be used in this exhibition and the knowledge of curators and historians of science who worked there.
” The topic itself is very current: freedom of speech, democracy, ethnic conflicts “.
Jan Alfred Andersson, director of the Center for Science
Upon arrival each visitor receives a wooden cube with five centimeters side that will allow them to participate in more interactive part of the exhibition. In the main space has 100 technological objects displayed on a shelf curve of 25 meters wide and five high. The objects are of various sizes and have diverse functions, all related to democracy, from a piece that represents the path of the railroad and transportation of persons, the machine waffles .
“But the more interesting and more interactive part is when this space becomes a center of discussion, an arena of debate” , said Jan Alfred Andersson. An eight present or future technological topics is discussed in each of these sessions, since the drones, the DNA sequencers or to 3D printers.
This great forum model, an exhibition that has a great relationship with the public, where people are asked to intervene, it is defended by Rosalia Vargas, outgoing president of Ecsite. “Citizens must rule on horizontal issues throughout society. And to be heard must have deeper knowledge about these topics that intersect necessarily science and technology. “
The shelf is covered with a screen that can both let you see the objects serve as a projection screen. The session begins with a film of two minutes to introduce the topic under discussion. Once created a dramatic atmosphere that aims to involve participants in the topic, the moderator of the debate starts asking questions (five in total). People gathered around the table four meters in diameter, will answer questions by placing the puzzle in the most appropriate answer: yes, no or do not know. Each cube, one vote.
The first question is more personal. “I would like to use a 3D printer?” Exemplified Jan Alfred Andersson. “Over the five questions moved from a more personal perspective, how we feel, for a perspective of society and how we handle it.” She gave examples for this, but this time using the drones, “What think of the use of drones by the media? And if in disaster situations? What is the position regarding the use of drones in armed conflict? “
” Citizens must rule on horizontal issues throughout society. And to be heard must have deeper knowledge about these topics that intersect necessarily science and technology. “
Rosalia Vargas, outgoing president Ecsite
The votes each person with the wooden cube are shown on screen in the form of graphics and this is the starting point for discussion with the assistance of a trained mediator for this purpose. “And generate up very interesting conversations around the table,” said the director of the Science Center. “Some students said it was the first time I really paid attention to what others were saying. Others said it was the first time they had had conversations about these topics with people who were complete strangers to them. “
The exhibition was designed primarily for a teenage public school turned out to also be enjoyed by younger children. “Young children have a new use these blocks, used them to make buildings,” said Jan Alfred Andersson. Adding satisfied that “ the same block that gives people the power to vote, which is the basis of democracy, served to children build houses as an image building democracy with the same blocks [votes] . “
The Observer attended the annual conference of the network itself Ecsite the invitation.
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