PROMOTION OF GEOLOGICAL SCIENCE AND INFORMAL SCIENCE EDUCATION IN MUSEUM OF GEOLOGY OF VILNIUS UNIVERSITY: OPPORTUNITIES, EXPERIENCES, CHALLENGES, PROBLEMS

The article discusses the experience of the VU Geology Museum in popularizing the science of geology, conducting informal natural science education, and educating the public. It is claimed that non-formal education cannot replace consistent long-term education in general education schools in order to educate members of the society who are sufficiently enlightened in the issues of geological science. Informal education only complements, helps to interest, emphasize and consolidate the knowledge acquired at school. In order to improve the geological literacy of society, it is necessary to start with schoolchildren and students. Necessary: 1. To strengthen the geology component in the programs of general education schools, which is now very little. 2. Start teaching natural sciences with geology. Then move on to physical geography. 3. Practically incorporate geology into STEM. That this should be the course of education is also defined by the definitions of geological and geographical sciences. Keywords: geology museum, informal science education, STEAM, Vilnius University