ABSTRACT While the core mission of science museums is to provide engaging learning experiences that promote scientific literacy among the visiting public, attention has recently been focused on the wide range of visitor experiences that surround and support visitor learning. This paper provides a visitor perspective on the experiences elicited by science museums, and explores the links between visitor experiences, satisfaction, learning and other well‐being outcomes. Surveys were administered to 688 visitors at three science museums in the USA and Australia; 378 of these also completed a follow‐up survey 4 weeks later. Comparative data were collected from 206 zoo visitors to aid interpretation of findings. The visitor experience at the participating science museums was characterized by Engagement, Awe, Appreciation of Beauty, and Reflection. Awe in particular was an important precursor of learning and well‐being outcomes. Visitors' free‐text comments provide insights into the ways different experiences can be facilitated through exhibit design.
Jan Packer (Mon,) studied this question.