Museum education and mediation of the Center of the Ophiology and Venomous Animals of Bahia, Federal University of Bahia

Abstract

Science museums are spaces for education and scientific dissemination for different audiences. In 2017, the Brazilian Institute of Museums published the National Policy for Museum Education (PNEM) and in 2018 published the National Museal Education Policy Notebook. This document features the core principles which should conduct the museum-oriented educative work. The purpose of this paper aimed at the inquiry of the mediation at the Ophiology and Venomous Animals Nucleus Museum of Bahia (NOAP) following PNEM's museum education guidelines of dissemination of scientific knowledge about Venomous Animals. The analyzed mediation was the Interactive Zoology Network, one of NOAP exhibitions, which features zoological kits, terrariums with living animals, games on zoology, lectures, and puppet theaters. Questionnaires were applied (to the attending audience) and individual interviews and focal groups were conducted (with the exhibition mediators) concerning the museum itinerancy, contact with the audiences, qualification of the mediators, and production of material. It was possible to conclude that NOAP has a path that partially fulfills PNEM perspectives. It keenly performs such task concerning the discussions of work groups about studies and research, accessibility, and the relations between museums and community. However, on what concerns the formation, qualification and training, the museum has a dynamics still far from what is regarded as ideal according to the document. In spite of this, it is important to highlight that PNEM is a reference guide, and that museum institutions may extrapolate or may not be suited to some of its discussions, depending on the specificities of each museum.