Engaging Explainers in design-based research to support student science enquiry

In this paper, I describe a programme of design-based research in which a group of museum Explainers work in partnership with a university researcher in order to enhance their support for student science enquiry. The research is ongoing and takes place within the hands-on gallery Investigate at London&s;s Natural History Museum. I begin by describing the patterns of talk, interaction and support for enquiry that occurred within the space prior to any intervention. I then recount the process by which Explainers have engaged in the research programme and have begun to reflect on their existing practices and propose and implement a series of interventions aimed at increasing student enquiry. Finally, preliminary findings suggesting an increased incidence of student science enquiry are reported.