Parque Explora

Future of the Science Museum

Although Parque Explora is a key player in education and innovation in Colombia, their audience preferences are shifting. In the future, connecting with communities and fostering dialogue with stakeholders will become an even greater challenge. Therefore, it is essential for Parque Explora to understand how its context will evolve and how these changes will affect the way communities interact with the museum.

In the picture a collage of images gathered during the research with users of the museum. They shared images and objects that were relevant for them. How did they understand the future and the museum? How were their preferences, needs and expectations changing?

Future scenarios

This exercise translates into the creation of a future concept, reimagining the evolution of Parque Explora by 2040. Through speculative design, potential changes were explored, presenting four future scenarios to help the museum ask critical questions today and make informed strategic decisions for the future.

The image illustrates one such scenario, where the exhibition rooms could transform into spaces for environmental refugees, reflecting the impact of climate displacement on the region. This vision highlights the need for adaptive spaces within the museum to respond to future social and environmental challenges.

  • A speculative design approach was used to achieve the project’s objectives, employing the DIVE methodology (Design, Innovation, Vision, and Exploration) to explore potential scenarios with key stakeholders.

  • I led the project from start to finish, exploring environmental issues, ethical and social dimensions, activism, and the expansion of museum boundaries. I sketched and prototyped potential future scenarios to address the evolving role of science museums in a changing context. The process included generative workshops, ideation, prototyping, conceptual sessions, and interviews with staff, international experts, and users. Based on these insights, we developed actionable guidelines to enhance the museum’s current initiatives.

  • The value of these future scenarios was to provoke reflection on the museum's mission and activities, sparking a dialogue with Parque Explora about the opportunities and key elements these scenarios offer for its organizational strategy and institutional planning.