FOURTEEN-YEAR EXPERIENCE OF THE "FROM MUSEUM TO MUSEUM" PROJECT: VISITING NON-FORMAL EDUCATION SPACES

visitação à espaços não formais de educação

Abstract

This article reports and evaluates the actions of the university outreach project titled "From Museum to Museum: exchange, dissemination, and utilization of non-formal education spaces," affiliated with the Interdisciplinary Dynamic Museum (MUDI) at the State University of Maringá (UEM). The primary objective is to facilitate visits to non-formal education settings, such as museums, parks, and theaters, for educators and the general community, aiming to address the deficit of scientific-cultural experiences in the region. The project’s methodology, developed between 2012 and 2025, involved organizing "Knowledge Journeys" with pedagogical intentionality. These journeys include in-depth territorial studies of the destinations, the elaboration of detailed itineraries, and mediation activities, such as lectures and debates conducted during the travels. Initially targeted at primary and higher education teachers, the project subsequently expanded to the general public, totaling 81 journeys and 3,281 participants across various Brazilian states and 22 foreign countries. Results and discussion highlight the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the project's activities, noting a significant reduction in the number of trips during 2020 and 2021, followed by a progressive resumption of itineraries. The project proved to be a vital tool for increasing visitation to non-formal education spaces and for continuing teacher education, fostering scientific tourism and cultural exchange. It is concluded that the pedagogical travels of the "From Museum to Museum" project are effective in audience development for cultural facilities and in promoting active and reflective learning that extends beyond the traditional classroom environment.