On 23rd January 1961, a further transformation took place when the name of the Museum of Applied Science of Victoria was changed to the Institute of Applied Science, reflecting at least a desire to be seen as more of a collaborator with industry, rather than merely its chronicler. Under a new dynamic director, the organisation embraced its new focus as an ambassador of industry and educator through exhibitions, offering expanded formal education programs for both primary and secondary school students. By 1970, seven teachers were seconded to the museum from the Education Department to support these programs and a series of public lunchtime lectures for adults had been introduced. A radiocarbon dating laboratory was established, managed by Anne Bermingham, the organisation's first female professional scientist, and in December 1965 a planetarium was added providing a popular new attraction to a generation obsessed with the excitement of space travel and the ambition of placing 'Man on the Moon' before the decade was out.

In 1971, further transformation occurred when the organisation was renamed as the Science Museum of Victoria.

Successive name changes to the organisation throughout its history were as follows:


References:
1. Rasmussen, C., A Museum for the People - A history of Museum Victoria and its predecessors, 1854-2000, Scribe Publications in association with Museum Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, 2001.
2. Treasures of the Museum, Victoria, Australia, Museum Victoria, 2004.
3. Perry, W., The Science Museum of Victoria: A History of its First Hundred Years, Science Museum of Victoria, Melbourne, 1972.
4. National Museums of Victoia Year Book, 1948, Trustees, Melbourne, Victoria, 1948.
5. Report of the Trustees of the Public Library, Museums and National Gallery of Victoria for 1870 to 1944 (Annual), Victorian Parliamentary Papers, Melbourne, Victoria, 1870-1945.
6. Museum of Applied Science of Victoria Annual Report, 1945 to 1951, The Trustees of the National Museums of Victoria, Melbourne, 1945-1951.
7. Museum of Applied Science of Victoria, Report of Activities, for the Year Ended 30th June 1952 to 1960 (Annual), The Trustees of the Museum of Applied Science of Victoria , Melbourne, 1952-1960.
8. Institute of Applied Science of Victoria, Report of Activities, for the Year Ended 30th June 1951 to 1969 (Annual), The Trustees of the Institute of Applied Science of Victoria , Melbourne, 1961-1969.
8. Science Museum of Victoria, Report of Activities, 1970 to 1983 (Annual), Council of the Science Museum of Victoria, Melbourne, 1970-1983.
9. Museum of Victoria Annual Report, 1983-84 to 1990-99, Council of the Museum of Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, 1984-2000.

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