ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************
I thought the article captured the challenges and tone of the informal science education field. It "got" our focus on creativity and experimentation while struggling with relevance and fund-raising.
In response to Dana's question about the "insignificance of human existence" quote. That insight is not new to modern science. The natural world has historically been perceived as humbling. Is that an insight better suited or more likely among adults? Perhaps--but I remember having that idea as a child watching thunderstorms form and move west to east across the great plains. As an adult, I had a similar experience seeing the Canadian Rockies. I found that idea less likely to be part of the culture as I moved east and lived in urban areas. On one ASTC trip to the Grand Canyon, I remember being intrigued by conversations trying to quantify the experience by the number of miles climbed or hiked and how little time appeared to be spent just looking and seeing. I think that constant push for busy activity may be an unconscious response to try to control and overpower things that make people feel little. We may see that in our science museums, too. I have
to say, however, I love the level of excited engagement I see in many science museums. That often appears to be purposeful curiosity, not quantified achievement. The conversation and changes in perspective can be amazing. I think that is a different type of activity. No answer here, just reflections.
Carey Tisdal
Tisdal Consulting
St.Louis, MO
________________________________
From: Erich Rose <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wed, March 31, 2010 10:38:07 AM
Subject: Re: NY Times article
ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************
I enjoyed reading the article and thought the writer made many great observations, both from an historical and social point of view. Bt there are so many points covered and each can (should!) open onto greater discussion and debate within our community and the general public. It was insightful but broad brush. One thread that was consistent was that science museum exhibitions, from the worst to the best, are products of the people who run those museums.
All-in-all a great synopsis of where we are these days.
Erich Rose
Erich Rose Design
807 The Living End
Austin, TX 78746
512-626-9930; [log in to unmask]
On Mar 31, 2010, at 7:19 AM, Dana Hutchins wrote:
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
>
> I'm interested in reactions & comments to this NY Times article mentioned in
> latest ASTC Scans.
>
> The Thrill of Science, Tamed by Agendas
> http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/18/arts/artsspecial/18SCIENCE.html?sq=museums
> %20special%20section&st=cse&scp=2&adxnnlx=1270036850-sM/C0CWl7aQLLyiRfjunYA&
> pagewanted=all
>
> Especially interested in any comments on this paragraph:
>
> "Of course, the insignificance of human existence is one of the fearsome
> lessons of modern science. But when we are young, we learn differently. We
> begin by learning to value our own understanding and only gradually come to
> recognize its limits. We begin by making sense of the world before we see
> how much lies beyond sense. The process doesn’t work well in the other
> direction: we can be left mystified by the world and lose respect for the
> human."
>
> Dana
>
>
> Dana Hutchins
> Image Works/XhibitNet
> 541 Congress St.
> Portland, ME 04101
> 207.329.7040 cell
> 207.773.1101 ext.102
> skype: dana.w.hutchins
> [log in to unmask]
> www.ImageWks.com
>
> ***********************************************************************
> For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
>
> Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.
>
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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.
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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.
The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit
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To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
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