ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************
Beryl,
I think you hit the nail on the head. We do have to be concerned about how
we present evolution and how we address concerns that people have, but we
cannot decide in good conscience to present exhibition, programs that touch
on evolution simply because we are worried about negative reactions. My
master's research focused on aspects of molecular evolution, and lets agree
on one things as science centers: evolution is the central principle of
biology. This means that ANY TOPIC in Biology can be linked to evolution.
So... We as science centers need to figure out how to deflame this whole
issue and have a discussion with our audiences in a way that respects their
view BUT presents evolution as what scientist use to understand the world of
biology. I went to college in the Midwest and have talked to a fair number
of creationists about this topic in a non threatening manner. After talking
to them about it, a lot of them did understand why scientists might think it
was a powerful framework even if they did have reservations about the
theory. Remember people's beliefs can slowly change, I know of no people who
think the world is flat. Finally there's an interesting poll done by the
People for the American way, that suggests there a fair percentage of
americans that think both evolution and creationism should be taught in
science classes because they think they are equally valid and want to be PC
about the whole thing (not because THEY are creationists). This is the kind
of thing that creationist are trying to exploit. Here's the link:
http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oid=2095
-Rita
******************************
Rita Mukherjee Hoffstadt
Exhibit Developer
New York Hall of Science
47-01 111th Street
Flushing Meadows
Corona Park, NY 11368
Phone: 718 699 0005 ext. 373
*******************************
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
>
> From the story on CNN, there is no mention of science center-based
> theaters. Independent theaters may legitimately show what they wish
> (and yes, I realize there is a financial and creative impact that can
> come back to bite us).
>
> However, when it comes to theaters in science centers pulling films,
> sorry, context is everything. Dialogue is one thing, but I don't go
> to church and expect to hear evolution anymore than I would expect to
> go to a science center and see religion.
>
> David Smith makes a valuable point in that science IS a human
> activity subject to all it's behavioral and attitudinal foibles, and
> Clifford notes how we can all quote the Galileo story by heart; let's
> face it, everyone knows SOMEONE whose research was affected, buried
> or enhanced by a colleagues' ego. Is science up on a pedestal and
> superior to other ideas? Not by a long shot. (That would make an
> interesting exhibition!) However, isn't the point of going to a
> science center to understand how science illuminates our
> understanding of the world? How science works? How science
> interprets the world through self-correction based on data? Let's
> not suddenly go PC-crazy, this is a little too important.
>
> Beryl
>
>> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
>> institutions.
>> *****************************************************************************
>>
>> This topic is now on the CNN home page.
>>
>> http://www.cnn.com
>>
>>
>> Ilka Porter
>> Education Coordinator
>> Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center
>> Mobile, AL
>> 251-208-6886
>> www.exploreum.net
>>
>> NOW SHOWING:
>> -The Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibition
>> -Virtual Journey of the Temple Mount
>> -Mysteries of Egypt and Mystery of the Maya IMAX Films
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Informal Science Education Network
>> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Eric Siegel
>> Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2005 12:44 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
>> ***********************************************************************
>> More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
>> Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at
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>> ***********************************************************************
>> More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
>> Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at
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>
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