QUT Museums Collaborative

QUT Museums Collaborative

The Queensland Art Gallery, Queensland Sciencentre, Queensland Museum, and Global Arts Link were partners in the QUT (Queensland University of Technology) Museums Collaborative. The QUT Museums Collaborative was a three-year collaborative research and training project from 2000-02. The focus of this project was the investigation of children's interactive and informal learning in museum-based settings.

The project:

provided new information and insights on children's learning in museum settings, which challenged current understandings of informal learning in settings such as schools
resulted in the greater use of museums by children and families as sites for learning and development
developed partnership programs between museums that created better integrated exhibitions and education programs
ensured better use of museums as learning sites by schools
increased the skill level of museum staff and volunteers in the areas of program design, curriculum implementation and research based decision-making.

The project provided national recognition of Queensland institutions' unique commitment to innovative research and delivery of children's programs. The research findings were published online in the QUT Museums Collaborative Manual.

The QUT Museums Collaborative Research Team was funded through the Australian Research Council (ARC), QUT and Industry Partners.