Muroran City Environmental Science Museum

As the successor to Hokkaido's first science museum, Muroran City Youth Science Museum (opened in 1963), we have newly built and opened the facility with a new theme of ``environment.''
We aim to create displays that will allow a wide range of generations, especially children, to become familiar with science on a daily basis and feel hope for the future of the earth and local communities.
The environment corner introduces environmental innovation projects that make use of Muroran's individuality and strengths cultivated through manufacturing, as well as initiatives for a sustainable future. In particular, the main displays, ``Watching Morelani,'' is a virtual displays where you walk on satellite photos of Muroran spread out on the floor and explore manufacturing sites, renewable energy sites, and natural spots using an AR tablet. You can experience scenery that is normally difficult to see in person, such as 360-degree footage of factories and drone footage of natural scenery.
The science experience corner is made up of equipment that allows you to experience the basics and principles of science. Some of the equipment in the old building has been remade and reinstalled, preserving the history of the facility and the memories of the citizens. We have incorporated elements of play into displays, such as connecting the scattered devices with experiment counters, enriching the space for face-to-face communication, and using large play equipment with motifs of Muroran's nature.

①In the 60 years since the museum opened, the scientific environment for children has changed significantly, including the Internet, programming, and artificial intelligence, but the way our volunteers interact with children has remained the same, emphasizing face-to-face communication. . Nowadays, when unmanned and automated systems are required, the presence of volunteers who accompany people when they go out for fun is important.While this attitude, which has long been familiar to citizens, is a strong characteristic of this facility, displays plan, which relies on volunteers, makes it difficult for people to The issue was the impact of annual updates on physical resources.

② At the time of the design, when the idea of “decarbonization” was beginning to be called out, Muroran City’s main industry was the “steel industry,” which emits a significant amount of carbon dioxide, so the future vision of the city and the expression of displays at this facility were issues. have become. Because this is a facility with the theme of "environment," the decision on specific environmental measures itself is directly linked to the content of displays.
In order to realize displays of the customer's issues and social issues mentioned above, we received a request to entrust the staff who have continued the design and construction to a permanent position.

Regarding ①, we have enriched displays space with a space where volunteer activities can coexist. By installing a multi-purpose manufacturing showcase and multiple lab/communication spaces, we were able to bring volunteers and citizens closer together while retaining the image of the old building.

Regarding ②, since the implementation of the environmental corner becomes the very reason for the existence of the facility, in order to materialize the city's environmental measures, we decided on a policy through interviews with related companies and experts, conducted filming on location in the city, and created illustrations. The city department and displays staff worked together to create the exhibit, carefully examining the expressions and images of the text and illustrations, and paying attention to every word of the text.

During construction, they took into account as many of our detailed requests as possible and implemented them carefully. Furthermore, even after the facility began operation, they listened carefully to the voices of the operator and responded to maintenance and inspections, which I am extremely grateful for.