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

Hello Chuck, et al.,

Yes – your bring up a very good point in all this.  When we talk about evolution to our audiences, the science community and educators have had some 200 years to digest and come to consensus about the subject, particularly the debate on evolution and creationism.  We come to the public with the science and, through our collections and exhibitions, show the evidence forevolution.
            You're right, in that educating the public on energy transitions, and indeed, many of the compelling Earth science issues we are faced with, is very different.  As you describe, we now have to come to the public and say, "This is the Earth science behind the issue, but there are many things, particularly ramifications of certain processes, that we don't yet understand or have the data for.” The public really doesn't like this answer; they come and want to know, black or white, "Which energy source should we use?" and we can't deliver all the science facts that might help them make a definitive decision.  Infact, we wind up having to tell them that the situation is much more complicated than they imagine.
            All the ways of procuring energy that we have in place right now suck.  None are sustainable or "good" in a carbon footprint sense.  All the "easy" energy is gone.  So the second most difficult thing about outreach on energy transitions is that the bottom line is, We, as a species, have to reduce our energy consumption by, depending on which method of calculation one uses, 60-80%, if we are to mediate climate change and get to a point where we might live sustainably.  THAT is the issue, which is tougher to swallow than ambiguity.
            We don't advocate a position either pro or con on fracking, other than I, personally, dearly hope that more research is done before the process of fracking is continued.  That much is clear solely based on the lack of evidence to make an educated choice.  We as an industry also need to keep in mind that science tells us how the world works; it does not tell us what to do. When there is consensus in the scientific community – as in evolution, water resources, the effects of people littering, etc.--I am in general comfortable being an advocate, but this is not the case with some energy issues.
            When we attempt to educate the public on subjects that produce such extreme emotions (not that evolution didn't) and where the data is not clear, we have to be very careful  advocating one position over another.  I think the best things we can do at this point is to be the facilitators within our communities to foster civil discourse about these topics.  And natural history museums (and sci centers, nature centers and the like) are perfect venues to host these kinds of discussions with the public because (1) many of us have scientists on staff who are involved in doing the research that can shed light on the issues, (2) we have the collections to give empirical evidence, (3) we have the venues across the nation—in rural, urban and city settings—to host such conversations and offer programs, (4) we have staff that are particularly trained to communicate science to the public, and (5) we have the integrity (hopefully) amongst our public that we are the experts in the field on Earth science issues.  The public seems tohave nothing but a million voices screaming opinions about what choices they should make.   We have the opportunity to be the rational place for the public to stop and think about the facts available, to promote civil discourse about the ramifications of the options based on the available data, and be clear on what information is still needed. Being a good facilitator is no easy job.  However, no one else, really, is better suited to do this much-needed outreach.   Moreover, if we don't, who will?       Cheers -   Carlyn

Carlyn S. Buckler, Ph.D.
Senior Education Associate
Paleontological Research Institution
and its Museum of the Earth
Adj. Asst. Professor Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
State University New York, Oneonta
1259 Trumansburg Road, Ithaca, NY 14850
Ph: (607) 273-6623 ext. 25
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
www.MuseumoftheEarth.org<http://www.MuseumoftheEarth.org>

From: Chuck Howarth <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>

Hi, Carlyn.  PRI has done great work in educating the public about evolution, where the science is settled but the political controversy rages on.  But fracking falls in a different category — the science is not yet settled, and there is a highly contentious debate going on within the scientific community.  So the question is how to address such an issue with the public — does "helping the public understand the science" mean exploring the scientific controversy as opposed to the political one?

  I am curious how and if PRI deals with the scientific controversy surrounding this issue?






***********************************************************************
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
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.

To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]