The Political Construction of Inspiria Science Center

This study explores the political construction of Inspiria Science Center. The ambition is to bring the science center itself in focus and contribute to our understanding of the relationship between a science center and its community. It employs actor-network theory and discourse models treating the construction of Inspiria as a specific historical event, expressed in approximately 160 newspaper articles over a period of more than 10 years. The outcome describes how Inspiria Science Center transforms from a voluntary based project and kids playing with Lego bricks in the Faculty of Engineering's basement to a national science center with Fiscal Budget funding and a regional development agenda. The outcome recognizes major disruptions and conflicts driving the transformation, exposing how the science center is not just context or an arena for someone else, but an actor in the science-learning network. Based on the findings we suggest developing specific models on the construction of a science center to increase the awareness towards mechanisms involved in gaining (and regaining) support.