At present, numerous science and technology museums embrace wait-and-see attitudes towards application of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technology. In the paper, theories and methods about museology, communication and pedagogy are applied to analyze which kind of AR products is required in science and technology museums from aspects of objectives, resources, methods and characteristics of science communication. It is proposed that VR / AR products which are based on exhibition and its educational activities, physical experience learning and inquiry learning of science and technology practice are maximum demands of science and technology museums. However, most of VR/AR products currently deviate from the above-mentioned requirements. Accordingly, development strategies of VR/AR products in science and technology museums are principally in the following aspects: take VR/AR products based on exhibition and its educational activities as “main battlefield”; take VR/AR products based on physical experience learning and inquiry learning of science and technology practice as “main direction”; find out integrating point of science and technology museum and VR/AR communication characteristics so as to “make the best of advantages and skirt disadvantages”; carry out VR/AR development according to communication objectives and communication effects; as well as make use of pedagogy and communication theory and methods to design VR/AR product elements.

science and technology museum  /  virtual reality and augmented reality technology  /  communication characteristics  /  special requirements  /  development strategy