ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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It is certainly true that science centers are not, nor are we intended to
be, an "efficient" means to improving student performance on standardized
tests. But I like to think that the things that we do well, (creating
excitement about science, providing enriching experiences for a variety of
learning styles, improving inquiry-based learning skills...) do in fact have
a positive effect on content acquisition, and therefore test scores. Call it
"collateral enhancement," if you will.  If there are studies that "prove"
this, great.  If not, I'll still come to work every day.

Jim Taylor
Director of Programming
The Health Adventure
P.O. Box 180
Asheville, NC 28802
828-254-6373 x 313
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-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Beryl Rosenthal
Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2004 9:14 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: educational research query


ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
****************************************************************************
*

I have to agree, particularly on the last item.  Not only aren't we
(by our own admission) the most efficient places to prepare kids for
standardized tests, but that is not our job.  Period.  By defining
ourselves according to the "rules" of formal ed, aren't we
undercutting the very thing that makes us who we are?  The pressure
to meet state standards and improve test scores has done some pretty
serious damage to the progress we have all made regarding how people
learn - museum educators and teachers.  For some time now I have had
afterschool providers ask me for standard-based programs that would
directly impact test scores, and 10 years ago I had a curriculum
coordinator tell me that if her students didn't all pass the state
exam, she would hold us (the science center providing outreach
services) directly responsible (!)

We exist to help people explore and understand the world around us,
to foster curiosity, and yes, to create - here comes the ubiquitous
phrase - "a more well-informed public" (check out the archives for a
discussion on the relevance of science centers).  We can assist
classroom teachers by providing augmentation, particularly alernative
ways of looking at problems, proposing solutions, and thinking
differently.  Please be careful, and think apples and oranges...

Beryl

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