The Darwin Centre Phase One at the Natural History Museum, which opened on 30 September 2002, represents an exciting and innovative new approach to science communication.

By providing an informal forum for scientists and visitors to meet face-to-face or through live webcasts, the Centre aims to break down the barriers between scientists and the public. In other words, it brings science alive. At the same time, it aims to protect and facilitate access to the Natural History Museum's unique collection of 22 million zoological specimens.

 
The programme of 'behind the scenes' tours – Darwin Centre Explore – take the public into the zoological collections, transforming otherwise inaccessible spaces into areas of public discovery and inspiration. An imaginative programme of public debates, Darwin Centre Live, led by Museum scientists, as well as live webcasts from the Centre and video links to collections areas provide even greater access for the public.

The Director of the Natural History Museum, Sir Neil Chalmers, says: 'We are absolutely delighted and extremely proud that the Darwin Centre has been shortlisted for the Gulbenkian prize. The Darwin Centre marks a new era for the Natural History Museum, opening up our vast collections for the first time, and providing visitors with the opportunity to meet the researchers who work with these collections to investigate the specific issues relating to the natural world. We look forward to developing and extending this unique visitor experience with Darwin Centre Phase Two, and are delighted to have received such recognition from the Gulbenkian Foundation for Phase One of the project.'

Visitor comments include:

'Fascinating. At long last Museum can re-identify to public with access to collections'.

'The Darwin Centre is an excellent idea – showing the public a snapshot of what scientists do is fascinating'.

  Previous

Top