Science centers in the Arab region have long focused on applied sciences and technological skills, reflecting national priorities around innovation, employability, and economic growth. While essential, this focus has created a structural gap: the near absence of the Human Sciences—fields such as anthropology, sociology, psychology, ethics, and history, which help us understand communities, identity, and social change.

 

At a time when AI is rapidly reshaping daily life, amplifying social anxieties, and challenging fundamental human values, it is increasingly urgent for science museums to foster not only scientific literacy but also human literacy. In societies with limited civic spaces, fragile social contracts, and educational systems that often underprioritize humanities, science museums can become rare platforms for public dialogue, critical thinking, and shared understanding.

 

This talk argues that integrating Human Sciences into science museums is not a luxury—it is a regional necessity. It will explore practical ways to embed humanities-based approaches within exhibitions, STEAM programs, maker culture, community co-creation, and lifelong learning. It will also show how local crafts, food heritage, social history, and oral traditions can act as culturally grounded entry points for scientific curiosity and community belonging.