The purpose of this study was to integrate the ideas of community of practice and participatory action research. This integration formed by the synergy between a natural history museum and a university department of pre-school education, which undertook participatory action research aimed at the creation of innovative museum programmes for young children. Data analysis and the evaluation of the research process show that the community was able to bring its situated knowledge into question and interrogate propositional knowledge. The authors conclude that both communities of educational practice and participatory action research can help participants develop the shared vision that is necessary for the development of a rigorous and better practice.