Teaching through historical scientific instruments: the material culture of science as an opportunity to explore science, history of science and science communication issues. (original) (raw)

2018, Turning Inside Out, European University Heritage: Collections, Audiences, Stakeholders. Marlen Mouliou, Sebastien Soubiran, Sofia Talas, Roland Wittje, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, ISBN 978-960-466-186-2

During the last decades there has been a rising interest in the preservation of historical scientific instrument collections and the development of research activities related to them. The role of universities in this enterprise is prominent and sheds fresh light on the weaving of an interdisciplinary field including science, history of science, and science communication issues. The restoration of eighteenth century physics cabinets and nineteenth century historical laboratories, the reconstruction of historical scientific equipment and experiments, the organization of exhibitions and science communication events, the reconstruction of historical lecture demonstrations, the creation of films and theatrical plays, and the one-line display of scientific instrument collections are only few examples of this multifaceted activity of European universities. This new importance given to the study of the material culture of science is strongly related to the recent historiographical turn, according to which history of science is not only the history of ideas but also the history of institutions, instruments, experimental processes, and teaching cultures. Giving specific examples from our latest research activity, we will argue for the fact that the scientific instrument heritage of Greek universities bears information of the highest importance for historians of science and science educators.