University museums and formative experiences in natural history

Many people who develop a passion for natural histoiy report formative experiences from their youth while exploring creeks and woodlands in their local area. With the advent of the internet and increased urbanization in the western world, these opportunities now often are lost to the current generation of young people because of the pressure of alternative leisure activities and reduced geographic availability. University science museums can have a role in fostering formative experiences by building elements of experiential learning into education programs for young visitors. This is particularly relevant to universities in a suburban or "green belt" location that preserve remnants of the original environment. These programs also instill positive attitudes toward increasingly important issues, such as biodiversity and ecological sustainability. Some of the education programs from Macquarie University's Earth Science and Biology Museums are outlined in this context