The „Magic Tower” as a museum of talen

Abstract

The Varázstorony(magic tower) Science-career-orientation and Methodological Centre was established at the beginning of the years 2000s in the old astronomical tower of the main biulding of Eszterházy Károly University. From the very start of it, this centre meant a lot more than just a traditional exhibition hall, since - besides its museum functions (natural history exhibitions, display of old instruments, research gadgets) - it took upon the task of popularising sciences by interactive experimental shows. Owing to a project programme, new opportunities were available for enriching and enhancing the centre’s diverse activities. Namely, the project made it possible to do researches with the aim of measuring the effectiveness and coordinating role of such a centre when finding, tracing and supporting talented young people and in parallel fulfilling the centre’s traditional museum-pedagogical functions as well. We strive for setting up and establishing a model which works in several steps. Firstly, the Varázstorony centre as a museum arouses interest in sciences. Then, based on the on-the-spot experiences (experiments, shows, displays) it attracts young people to the centre’s programmes again and again, and what is more, excites and stimulates them for more innovative ideas and thoughts. Moreover, into this process we tend to integrate all the facilities offered by the university (infrastructure, researchers’ and educators’ mentoring activities) and also elements of social and economic environment ( chamber of commerce, schools).