Jack Rouse Associates (JRA) has formed a partnership with children’s discovery park, InnoPark, to develop interactive science centers and children’s museums in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
With a brief to improve standards for children’s museums and science centers in Russia and the CIS, InnoPark will act as JRA’s exclusive marketing representative within the region until at least 2016.
InnoPark, a children’s discovery park in Moscow, has welcomed over 40, 000 visitors and 150 schools since opening in 2012, with attractions that include an interactive museum, mini-planetarium, hall of mirrors and toddler area, as well as workshops and courses in robotics, electronics and physics.
InnoPark Director, Svetlana Motorina (right), said, “We are excited to partner with JRA to increase the quantity and quality of children’s museums in Russia. We think JRA’s strengths in interactive design, coupled with InnoPark’s skill in developing engaging scientific content, will create vibrant learning experiences in Russia and the CIS that will improve Russia’s reputation in the museum industry and increase its overall innovation potential.”
The Russian Government has prioritised the popularization of scientific and innovative activities with an “Innovation Russia 2020” initiative. Interactive science centres and children’s museums are a key element of the project as studies have shown that these interactive experiences stimulate children’s learning, creativity, innovative thinking and curiosity.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Agency of Strategic Initiatives has identified InnoPark as a model for future developments in the region.
Experiential design firm JRA have provided design and project management services for many high profile children’s museums and science centers including Imaginosity in Ireland, Guangdong Science Center in China, The Mind Museum in the Philippines, Singapore Science Center, Enginuity in England and Museo de los Niños in Guatemala, as well as Kohl Children’s Museum, McKenna Children’s Museum and the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples (C’MON) in the United States.
Keith James, JRA’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “InnoPark has proven that children’s museums and science centers can succeed in Russia and the CIS. Their familiarity with this growing market and their passion for helping children learn make them the ideal partner for us, and we look forward to working together in developing dynamic museum and science centers for Russia’s children.”