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Jeff,
thanks for the story, the leads, and the encouragement
to prepare my centre for my own transmission to the other side....
of the visitor experience.
Which leads to one of the other areas I'm interested to hear about
, which is not only programs designed to be delivered to the senior demographic,
but initiatives within centres that harness the experience this group can offer.
Your elder hostel program is one, and many centres ( ours included) are often staffed/supported
by senior volunteers, explainers, docents.
This line on enquiry was in part started by an opportunity I had to talk to
a group of people forming part of the University of the Third Age - the current affairs group.
It got me to focus on the fact these folk are still keen learners, have time and interests that
align with much we do - BUT - we (me) haven't been reaching.
So there's another thread to the enquiry which I guess goes, "this group has many individuals that would like to
share what we offer to our other audiences, how do we reach them."
I guess some of my default thinking would have more automatically linked "hot topics- current issues" with
a younger demographic, perhaps a very young demographic. But, gene technology, biomedical innovation, nanotech robotics are probably more
relevant to many of the grandparents, than the grandchildren. And grandparents ( like teachers,parents) can be very influential
if life path choices for young people.
So, I guess I'll think a bit more, read a bit more, wait for yet more goodness from the hivemind, and try and finish the next presentation
to the university of the Third age, so I can share what might be done, and see what suggest.
cheers
Stuart Kohlhagen
-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network on behalf of Jeff Courtman
Sent: Tue 27/05/2008 11:56 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: We are all getting older
ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************
I don't have any answers but I do have a couple of suggestions that
come from having a very active 86 year old father.
One of his greatest pleasures over the last 15 years has been taking
his two granddaughters on elderhostel trips that are designed
specifically for grandparent/grandchild interaction. Both he and my
nieces look forward to these engagements. They have ranged from the
prosaic to exotic. So the first suggestion would be to look at the
Elder Hostel model and glean what you can. Although they have chosen
weeklong excursions, I know that Elderhostel also offers day/weekend
activiites. Perhaps even joining forces with customized programs?
The second, one you may have already done, is to do some simple
surveys of those that fit your profile who are already coming to your
institution.
Since most centers are reliant in some part on the social learning
model I would think that would be a rich field to mine.....
And as an old(er) member of this group, i'll look forward to hear
what you have in store for me!
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