Media Extensions in the Science Museum's Educational Programs for Children (by the Case of Museum of Cosmonautics in Moscow)

Transmedia storytelling – the common term for a key concept, refers to media experiences expanded across multiple platforms. Transmedia projects are used in multiple museums across the globe and are considered a successful approach in engaging different types of visitors. One of the categories of visitors that should be targeted the most is children, because they are the target audience of the most museums. Children learn while they play, so there is a need for participatory programs in museums due to be fascinating for younger audience. Moreover, now children process information differently than in the past, they are way more engaged in the media field and the time limit for catching their attention shortened – now it is 4 seconds maximum. Therefore, it is crucial to add the transmedia experience to museum programs for children or otherwise the number of children visiting museums will decline and even in the case they do visit, the programs will be boring for them. In order to understand the current situation this study answers the research question about the specificity of the transmedia initiatives in Russian museums aimed at children specifically and tries to suggest possible improvements of the situation.