Darwin Centre Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD
A GIANT bottle bank? An art exhibition by Damien Hirst? You could be forgiven for thinking of either when you walk into the main concourse of the Darwin Centre. Here 22 million organisms are suspended in time and it鈥檚 a stunning sight as you pass case after case of specimens serenely floating in jars of alcohol, fronting neat arrays of cabinets of curiosities. It鈥檚 certainly not a typical museum display, so what鈥檚 going on?
Forget increasing the 鈥減ublic understanding of science鈥�. These days it鈥檚 all about 鈥減ublic engagement with science鈥�, and London鈥檚 Natural History Museum is taking it seriously. The newly opened Darwin Centre is not only a taxonomist鈥檚 paradise, it鈥檚 welcoming to all comers.
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The Darwin Centre plans to engage the public in two ways: walks and talks. Tours are conducted for small groups every 30 minutes by curators-turned-guides. Participants are even invited to don lab coats.
After a closer look at how the specimens are preserved and stored, it鈥檚 off to the basement where scientists get their surgical gloves dirty. Incoming specimens, from rats鈥� tails found in hamburgers to beached whales, are scrutinised here in the forensic laboratory and the autopsy room. Most impressive of all is the huge tank room, gleaming with glass and stainless steel, housing some of the larger specimens: giant jars containing porcupines, fish and snakes, and alcohol-filled vats of mainly ichthyological delights. It鈥檚 all rather evocative of one of those futuristic TV thrillers where the villain inevitably ends up sleeping with the fishes in a highly pickled state.
Next up is the Live Centre. Max Barclay, head of the beetle collection, is on display during my visit. Donning a head mic like Madonna鈥檚, Barclay confounds my expectations of someone whose career is beetling about with bugs on pins. He鈥檚 friendly and approachable, fascinated with beetles without being geeky. Plus we get some hands-on experience with specimens, including a dung ball rolled by a beetle.
A discussion session follows the beetles. Today鈥檚 topic is uncontroversial, but the museum doesn鈥檛 always play safe. Future issues include the link between natural and cultural diversity, genetic engineering and climate change. There鈥檚 also been a live video link to journalist Matthew Kaplan joining researchers in a Belize jungle, entitled 鈥淚鈥檓 a Science Communicator, Get Me Out of Here!鈥�
The public face of science has been tarnished by scandal in recent years. Museums have realised that conservation and education are all very well, but inspiration is what it鈥檚 about. The Darwin Centre takes a potentially dull and lifeless collection of specimens and turns it into something, literally and figuratively, spiritual. But it is the Live Centre that is truly mould-breaking. By placing a premium on interaction and engagement by the museum鈥檚 most valuable assets 鈥� its scientists and curators 鈥� science-in-action is showcased and a genuine forum for public participation is facilitated. Most telling of all is how much the scientists so obviously enjoy sharing their work and interests. It鈥檚 truly engaging.