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Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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For me play and exploration are almost synonymous.

I also play at singing opera. I consider it just as valid an exploration 
of the world, although it doesn't answer the same questions !
My wife writes plays, that also explores the world through a different 
medium.
Discovering new mathematical formalisms for black holes, worm holes and 
dark matter stars; also explores the world from a theoretical perspective.

I guess if it's an activity which allows discovery and development of 
our own uncerstanding of the world then it's explorative play.

Kevin

New Subject... bit of a rant

Unfortunately since the death of  Nuffield Science in the uk most 
science teaching seems to be fact based rather than exploration based. 
That includes the scientific training of many who are now science 
teachers and developing exhibits in science museums. I have a major 
grievance when it comes to soaking up facts being painted as 
'exploration'; which is why so many science museums irritate me. Finding 
new visual ways of putting facts before the public and redesigning the 
shape of buttons doesn't constitute an 'explorative exhibit'.

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