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It's worse than that... only 13% chose the accepted scientific
explanation. See a discussion of this and previous poll results at the
NCSE website:

http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/news/2004/US/724_public_view_of_creatio
nism_and_11_19_2004.asp

For a contrast, fully 75% of Americans believe that increased carbon
dioxide emissions will lead to global warming.  The issue here is
clearly not about how robust the theory is, or how clearly we can
support it with evidence.  Evolution would win against global warming on
both counts, hands down.  

My previous comments seem to have been seen by some as saying that
centers should compromise their principles.  That is not what I believe,
but the way we act in supporting our principles can have major
consequences for how we are perceived and how effective we are in
engaging the entire population in learning.  Constructivist approaches,
while challenging to our traditional and comfortable mythology of
science as truth, are better aligned with modern understandings of the
history and philosophy of science, are better aligned with modern
theories of learning, and offer an opportunity to speak in support of
scientific understandings in a way that engages more people. For a
helpful discussion of constructivist theories of knowledge and learning
and their relevance in the museum setting, I highly recommend "The
Constructivist Museum" by George Hein: http://www.gem.org.uk/hein.html 

David L Smith
Director of Professional Development 
Da Vinci DiscoveryCenter of Science and Technology
http://www.discovery-center.org


-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Eric Siegel
Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2005 1:44 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: IMAX and evaluation

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

> Barbara Flagg wrote

>  and yes, we included in our focus groups the small percentage of the

> population who are not believers in evolution.  

 From National Geographic  
(http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/10/ 
1018_041018_science_religion.html)

"...in a 2001 Gallup poll 45 percent of U.S. adults said they believe  
evolution has played no role in shaping humans. According to the  
creationist view, God produced humans fully formed, with no previous  
related species..."

We're up the creek here...

Eric Siegel
Executive VP
    Programs and Planning
NY Hall of Science
47-01 111th Street
Queens, NY 11368
www.nyscience.org
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