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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The discussion on this list has been interesting, and mirrors what the general public 
thinks about evolution. Many accept evolution, the majority with some faithful caveat, but 
many want it to sit politely in the corner and not speak or even hum to itself.  It is a topic 
ripe for inclusion in natural history museums, science centers, and zoos -- not only is it 
science, it is science the public misunderstands, with a passion.  And there is plenty of 
practical issues to discuss on the topic here in the listserv, so banishing the discussion to 
an ASTC-sponsored, back room philosophy book club will only confirm the subtext that 
evolution and the origin of life are just too controversial for even science centers.  What 
if all the science museums and listservs during Galileo's time refused to discuss 
heliocentrism?  "I grow weary of all this planet stuff. Can't we just agree to disagree?"

Does anyone have a _list_ of centers that have evolution or origin of life exhibits?  If not, 
mail me off-list and I'll compile it.  (For example, the St. Louis Zoo has a talking Darwin 
robot.  Now that's a good start!)  Has your institution _considered_ an evolution exhibit 
but decided against it, in the end? It would be a good resource to turn to when one of you 
is interested in making a new exhibit.

-Colin Purrington
- - - - -
Department of Biology,  Swarthmore College
500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA  19081
tel. (610) 328-8621; fax (610) 328-8663
http://www.swarthmore.edu/NatSci/cpurrin1/index.html

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