Learning is a lifelong journey, one that begins even before we’re born and continues every day. It’s not just about gaining knowledge, but about building skills, developing insight, sparking curiosity and nurturing the drive to explore. At NEMO Science Museum, we create a space for informal learning, where visitors of all ages can discover and experiment - freely, playfully and at their own pace.
NEMO designs its activities to spark curiosity, fuel imagination and bring people together - offering a wide range of themes, hands-on experiences and a welcoming environment where everyone can find something that appeals to them. Everyone is free to take part in their own way, at their own pace. By trying things out, observing and being curious, visitors discover new ideas as part of an active and enjoyable experience.
Maartje Raijmakers, endowed professor at the University of Amsterdam, is affiliated with NEMO Science Museum through the chair of Cognitive Developmental Psychology. Her research focuses on how people of all ages learn about science in informal settings. In her third term, she is conducting practical research at NEMO Science Museum: how does curiosity stimulate interest in science and technology? In previous research terms, she explored how families learn informally together and the important role facilitators play in encouraging play and discovery. These studies already highlighted how enjoyment, surprise and social interaction enhance learning experiences. These and other insights contribute both to academic theory and to the development of new programmes at NEMO. They are also shared with professionals in the cultural and scientific fields.
Years of working with visitors, paired with scientific insights, shape the NEMO way - one that always begins and ends with the visitor in mind. NEMO therefore uses the taxonomy of visitor experiences as a foundation for designing its exhibitions and programmes. Visitors can engage with science in six different ways, from gaining knowledge and insight to independently exploring and designing. They might reflect on scientific ideas, feel inspired by curiosity and experience motivation, identify with scientific roles or even join in real research. Each of these learning experiences offers a unique path to understanding and connecting with science.
NEMO continuously develops, tests and refines its programmes through an ongoing interplay between research and practice. Research findings inform programme renewal, while real-world museum experiences raise new questions for further study. Visitors, visitor guidance staff and programme content together shape a rich, interactive environment. Through observation, inquiry and experimentation, visitors actively contribute to testing prototypes and developing our growing body of knowledge.