INTERACTIVITY, INTERPRETATION, INSPIRATION: EDUCATION IN THE NEW MUSEUM PERMANENT EXHIBITION

Abstract

The newly renovated Croatian Natural History Museum is a dynamic, inclusive space for knowledge and experience. The modern exhibits support multi-layered education based on interactivity, interpretation, and inspiration. By observing the displays and engaging with digital tools, multimedia, and tactile elements, visitors become participants in a story where knowledge is conveyed not only through information but also through personal experience. The focus is on accessibility, interactivity, and inclusivity, attracting new audiences – middle-aged and older individuals, previously marginalized communities, the growing number of foreign nationals living in Croatia, and tourists. Through innovative exhibition concepts and new technologies, education within this framework also fosters social change – the museum becomes a gathering place for the local community and a center for lifelong learning. This approach creates opportunities for new knowledge – not only about the natural specimens on display, but also about identities, ecology, and the contemporary challenges of climate change.