Crab Museum is a free, independent museum and a unique place for the public to have fun and learn about science. Crabs deserve their own museum (have you seen them?) but the real value of a crab-eyed worldview comes from connecting our ten-legged friends to ecology, philosophy, history and more. 75% of teachers feel unequipped to talk about climate change, and finding a place for crabs (and ourselves) in the confusing vastness of life has never been more important! There are only 3 of us, but we've been incredibly successful in our first year, proving the concept and becoming one of the highest-rated tourist destinations in Margate. But we have bigger ambitions, and to take the museum forward and survive the current crisis we need help! With support, we can offer the public much more - reaching young people and groups who may lack opportunities to learn about science. This means improving our museum experience, holding more free events, and working with schools and community groups

What we'll deliver:

• Organise a free series of public talks and educational events
• Expand our outreach activities
• Produce new in-house educational resources
• Upgrade our exhibits and expand our gift shop

Why it's a great idea:

Funding will help us to continue our work as a free science museum that advocates for environmental action. It will allow us to improve the quality of exhibits and make them even more fun and engaging. We believe education should be free for all, and funding will help us expand what we offer to different audiences - including disadvantaged groups and those with no access to science education. We have a lot of experience producing educational experiences and ambitious ideas for how to tailor them to a wide range of ages and backgrounds. We're keen to improve the museum itself, but funding will also allow us to take it to other places, such as schools and community spaces. Funding will improve our resilience in a difficult climate, and help us educate the public without sacrificing our independence or what makes us unique. Funding will take pressure off our organisation, allowing us to concentrate on improving our educational and environmental work.

Steps to get it done:

• Organise a series of talks and events to take place throughout 2023
• Pay for improved museum facilities and exhibits
• Produce a series of educational zines for different age groups, covering different topics

In a time of ecological collapse, we believe it's crucial to talk about science with the public and connect global issues to people's daily lives. Through our work so far in the museum, we have found a real demand for fun and unexpected science education - that deals with the climate crisis in a way that is neither tokenistic nor apocalyptic.