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| Bergen Science Centre Vilvite | |
|---|---|
| Name | Bergen Science Centre Vilvite |
| Native name | VilVite |
| Established | 2004 |
| Location | Bergen, Norway |
| Type | Science centre |
Bergen Science Centre Vilvite is a public science centre located in Bergen, Norway, offering interactive exhibits, planetarium shows, and educational programs for children and adults. It serves as a regional hub connecting institutions such as University of Bergen, Bergen Museum, Nygårdstangen, Bergen University College, and Haukeland University Hospital with schools, industry, and cultural organisations. The centre collaborates with international networks including European Science Engagement Association, Association of Science-Technology Centers, Nordic Culture Fund, Erasmus Programme, and partners in Oslo, Trondheim, Tromsø, and Stavanger.
Vilvite opened after planning stages involving stakeholders from Hordaland County Municipality, Bergen Municipality, Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research, Innovation Norway, and local business groups such as Equinor and Hydro. Early conceptual work referenced models like Exploratorium, Deutsches Museum, Science Museum (London), La Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie, and Technopolis (Greece). The launch drew participation from academics at University of Bergen, researchers from Institute of Marine Research, and educators from Ludvig Holberg initiatives. Funding episodes involved grants from Research Council of Norway and philanthropic contributions from foundations including Fritt Ord and Olav Thon Foundation. Over time Vilvite expanded programming with collaborations with Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, Bergen International Film Festival, and international exhibitions previously shown at Copernicus Science Centre and Cité des Sciences.
The permanent and rotating exhibitions cover topics tied to local and global themes, linking displays to institutions such as Bergen School of Architecture, Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, and Norwegian Polar Institute. Hands-on exhibits reference principles demonstrated by pioneers like Isaac Newton, Alessandro Volta, Marie Curie, Niels Henrik Abel, and Fridtjof Nansen. The centre hosts a planetarium with shows produced in collaboration with groups including European Southern Observatory, NASA, European Space Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and Roscosmos outreach teams. Special exhibits have featured materials from Smithsonian Institution, Natural History Museum, London, Vatican Observatory collections, and touring exhibits from Darwin Centre. Interactive installations often use technology from companies like Kongsberg Gruppen, Telenor, Microsoft, Google, and Siemens and draw on scientific themes explored by James Clerk Maxwell, Dmitri Mendeleev, Ada Lovelace, and Alan Turing.
Vilvite develops curricula aligned with schools in Bergen Cathedral School, Fana Gymnas, Nordahl Grieg Upper Secondary School, and municipal primary schools, connecting classroom work to resources at University of Bergen, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, SINTEF, and Institute of Marine Research. Outreach initiatives partner with international networks like Erasmus+, TEMPUS, Eurodesk, and local NGOs such as Save the Children Norway and Red Cross Norway. Programs include teacher training sessions with references to pedagogy from John Dewey, Lev Vygotsky, Maria Montessori, and assessment models used by OECD. Citizen science projects have joined efforts with Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, Arctic Council research nodes, Global Biodiversity Information Facility, and community groups around Byfjorden and Hardangerfjord.
The centre occupies a modern facility near transport hubs including Bergen Light Rail, Bergen Railway Station, and Byparken, designed with input from architects connected to Snøhetta, SLA Architects, and firms involved in projects like Kilden Performing Arts Centre and Oslo Opera House. Sustainable features cite standards promoted by Norwegian Green Building Council, BREEAM, Nordic Swan Ecolabel, and local energy systems tied to BKK (company) grids and district heating networks. The building hosts a planetarium, laboratories equipped for workshops in partnership with University of Bergen departments, maker spaces influenced by Fab Lab networks, and conference facilities used by entities such as Innovation Norway and Norwegian Science Council.
Governance is provided by a board with representatives from Bergen Municipality, Hordaland County Municipality, University of Bergen, local industry partners like Equinor and Kongsberg Gruppen, and cultural institutions including Bergen Kulturhus and Bergen County Museum. Funding streams combine public support from Norwegian Ministry of Culture, grants from Research Council of Norway, corporate sponsorships, ticket revenue, and philanthropic gifts from foundations like Olav Thon Foundation and Gjensidigestiftelsen. Collaborative projects have received EU funding instruments such as Horizon 2020 and have contractual relationships with organisations like K Hi Tech and NORCE for applied research.
Vilvite is located in central Bergen near landmarks like Bryggen, Fløibanen, Mount Fløyen, and Torgallmenningen. Visitor services include ticketing, membership programs linked to cultural passes used at KODE Art Museums and Composer Homes, accessibility features conforming to standards used by Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs, and event hosting for groups including Bergen International Festival participants and student groups from University of Bergen. Practical information such as opening hours, admission categories, and booking for school visits is available through the centre’s visitor desk and associated municipal tourist offices such as Visit Bergen.
Category:Museums in Bergen Category:Science museums in Norway