Children and adults study insect specimens at microscopes in a museum workshop.

Research group

Education and Outreach

Learning, experiencing nature, understanding science – research on museum education and public engagement.

Research

The Education and Outreach research group investigates learning processes in informal contexts and the role of museums as sites of out-of-school education.

Our research interests are closely linked to the museum's themes and objectives. Through selected exhibitions and citizen science projects, we explore scientific literacy and the aims of science communication.

Another key area of research is environmental education, focusing on experiences of nature both within and outside the museum. Furthermore, we are interested in how model-based learning develops in non-formal learning and experiential spaces, such as at the Museum für Naturkunde. 

As part of a collaborative project, we are also investigating the acceptance of evolution among various groups, including museum visitors, school classes and university students.

 

Key areas

Educational equity, diversity and inclusion

The Education and outreach research group develops educational programmes for children, young people and adults, both within the museum and in Berlin’s urban natural environment. The experiences, perspectives and lived realities of these different groups are incorporated into the programmes. As a result, we enable a wide range of opportunities to access education, culture and science, and open the museum to a diverse audience.

Understanding science and sustainable action

Through our programmes and professional development opportunities, we foster scientific literacy and encourage discussions on current social issues. A particular focus is placed on out-of-school environmental and sustainability education across various learning contexts. Working closely with the museum’s research and exhibitions, we create programmes that spark enthusiasm for nature-related topics and motivate people to act responsibly.

Lifelong learning and cooperation

We maintain close, long-term educational partnerships with kindergartens, schools, adult education centres and other community stakeholders. Together with these partners, we continue to develop the museum as a place of lifelong learning, exchange and encounter.

 

Lead

Current projects

Educational programme

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    Publications

    Kühne, N., Gallé, L., Moldrzyk, U., Kreft, S., Dietermann, B., Faber, A., Moormann, A., Hinz, S., Kaiser, K., Heumann, I., Hermannstädter, A., Bilder von: Wolff, E. (2025). 1.4 Die Kolonialgeschichte der Naturkunde ausstellen und vermitteln. In Kaiser, K., Heumann, I. (Hrsg.), Umgang mit kolonialen Objekten der Naturkunde: Empfehlungen, Objekte, Reflexionen (1. Auflage, 82-93). Dresden: Sandstein Kultur. URL: https://www.sandstein-kultur.de/shop/umgang-mit-kolonialen-objekten-der-naturkunde

    Moormann, A., Lude, A., Möller, A. (2025). Effects of Nature Experiences on Attitudes towards Nature and Pro-Environmental Behavior. In Gebhard, U., Lude, A., Möller, A., Moormann, A. (Hrsg.), Nature Experience and Education (51-71). Wiesbaden: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-47762-2_4

    Moormann, A., Pauli, C., Verleih, C., Faber, A. (2025). Museum in der Schule. Standbein Spielbein, 123(Mai 2025).

    Moormann, A., Scheersoi, A. (2024). Evolutionsbiologie im Naturkundemuseum. In Gemballa, S., Kattmann, U. (Hrsg.), Didaktik der Evolutionsbiologie (513-528). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-69030-7_29

    Stiller, A., Büssing, A.G., Moormann, A. (2025). Nature 2.0—Can Immersive Virtual Reality be a Possibility for Nature Experiences?. In Moormann, A., Gebhard, U., Lude, A., Möller, A. (Hrsg.), Nature Experience and Education (335-350). Wiesbaden: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-47762-2_20

    Moormann, A., Sturm, U. (2025). Nature Experience through Citizen Science Projects. In Gebhard, U., Lude, A., Möller, A., Moormann, A. (Hrsg.), Nature Experience and Education (351–364). Wiesbaden: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-47762-2_21Open Access

    Moormann, A., Beniermann, A., Fiedler, D. (2025). Natural history museum visitors’ use of key concepts and misconceptions in written explanations of evolutionary scenarios. Public Understanding of Science. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/09636625251355890Open Access

    Moormann, A., Beniermann, A., Roemer, L., Zu Belzen, A.U., Ziegler, M. (2024). Trajectories of students’ momentary interest in evolution during a museum guided tour. International Journal of Science Education, 1-21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2024.2423411Open Access

    Fiedler, D., Moormann, A., Beniermann, A. (2023). Using different acceptance measures: The interplay of evolution acceptance, evolution understanding, and religious belief among German preservice biology teachers, secondary school students, and creationists. Science Education, 108(1), 223-274. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.21833Open Access

    Gebhard, U., Lude, A., Möller, A., Moormann, A. (Hrsg.). (2025). Nature Experience and Education. Wiesbaden: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-47762-2Open Access

    Projektgruppe „Wissenschaftskommunikation“ im VBIO, Moormann, A. (2024). Wissenschaftskommunikation im Bereich der Biowissenschaften. [Positionspapier]. VBIO. URL: https://www.vbio.de/fileadmin/user_upload/verband/Positionen/240226_Position_WissKomm_final.pdfOpen Access

    Lude, A., Moormann, A. (2023). Bildende Erfahrungen in der Natur. Pädagogik, 53-56. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3262/PAED2311053

    Hinz, S., Faber, A. (2023, Dezember 1). nawi.club im Mikroskopierzentrum am Museum für Naturkunde Berlin.. easeCorona. Das Förderprogramm für Schülerlabore. Dänischenhagen: LernortLabor - Bundesverband der Schülerlabore e. V., 211. URL: https://www.lernortlabor.de/downloads/easeCorona_Abschlussband_2023_Download.pdf

    Baltuttis, J., Pacher, K., Faber, A., Rüschel, P., Kreft, S., Schmid-Dankward, T. (2025). Natur im Wandel der Jahreszeiten - mit Vorschulkindern die Natur entdecken. Bildungsmaterialien für Pädagog:innen. Museum für Naturkunde (MfN) - Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätsforschung. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7479/ZDZT-XY70Open Access

    Eichenauer, E., Faber, A. (2025). Zusammenarbeit zwischen Museum und Schule am Beispiel des Museums für Naturkunde Berlin und der Hagenbeck-Schule. In Schrübbers, C., Oppermann, I., Matthes, M. (Hrsg.), Schriften zum Kultur- und Museumsmanagement (1, 193-206). Bielefeld, Germany: transcript Verlag. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14361/9783839474549-011

    Kampschulte, L., Faber, A., Thoma, G.B., Lewalter, D. (2025). Persönliche Voraussetzungen für die Nutzung von Museen: eine erste Annäherung an das Konstrukt »Museum Literacy«. In Schrübbers, C., Oppermann, I., Matthes, M. (Hrsg.), Schriften zum Kultur- und Museumsmanagement (1, 147-164). Bielefeld, Germany: transcript Verlag. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14361/9783839474549-008

    Tilove, A., Hinz, S., Zilch, M. (2025). [Poster:] Queering Nature- Live Tour und Audioguide. [Poster].

    Tilove, A., Hinz, S., Faber, A. (2025). Handbuch gegen Diskriminierung in der Bildungsarbeit am Museum für Naturkunde Berlin. [Arbeitspapier].

    Moormann, A., Hecht, L., Tilove, A., Miedtank, A., Dieter, D. (2025). [Poster:] Von Weltraum ins Klassenzimmer: das Wissenschaftsverständnis von Schüler:innen in einem Citizen Science-Projekt zu Mikrometeoriten. [Poster].

    Our place at the Museum für Naturkunde

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