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Matthew White asks...
>Are the Petroleum
>Industry sponsored curriculum materials as pro-energy usage and pro-
>petroleum industry as the author suggests?
I don't know about the K-12 level, but...
...I teach evening biology and chemistry classes in local colleges as an
adjunct. For years, every text book I ordered came with a CD of CNN
clips for use in the classroom. The supplemental material included a
convenient booklet that specified which clips augmented which chapter
sections and gave discussion questions for use with the clips.
Of course, CNN is _NOT_ a scientific authority, and from the quality of
their clips, they don't fully utilize scientific consultants either! The
clips were science journalism riddled with errors and political bias.
I used one particularly bad clip as a critical listening exercise. I'd
show the clips in class and ask students to find the scientifically
incorrect statement! I felt it was a good way to introduce the fact that
they can't believe everything they see on TV (imagine... they get to
college and have to learn something like that!). I wrap it in lessons on
critically evaluating your sources, the difference between review,
critique and original work, the difference between .com, .gov and .org
sites, the reliability of fun facts inside bottle caps, etc.
I complained to the text book companies. They stopped sending me CNN. I
don't know if they put a mark on my customer record that specifies "No
CNN" or if they really don't use CNN clips anymore or if CNN didn't find
this a valuable use of their resources.
Anyrate...
...that's my 2-cents on the topic.
have fun
diane h peapus
<-----Original Message----->
>From: Matthew White
>Sent: 11/26/2006 10:04:30 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Op Ed in Today's WaPost
>
>ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
Centers
>Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
>***********************************************************************
******
>
>There was an interesting piece in the Outlook section of the
>Washington Post this morning that I thought I would bring to the
>attention of hte group for discussion.
>
>The article was written by Laurie David, one of the producers of Al
>Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth."
>
>The article can be found at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/
>content/article/2006/11/24/AR2006112400789.html
>
>A brief synopsis:
>
>Apparently the makers of the movie wanted to give thousands of copies
>away to schools. They contacted the NSTA and offered them 50,000
>copies for distribution. The NSTA declined the offer. Here is the
>pertinent paragraph with their reply:
>
>"In their e-mail rejection, they expressed concern that other
>"special interests" might ask to distribute materials, too; they said
>they didn't want to offer "political" endorsement of the film; and
>they saw "little, if any, benefit to NSTA or its members" in
>accepting the free DVDs."
>
>The article then goes on to compare that position with the NSTA's
>cooperation, some would say complicity, in helping the oil industry
>deliver their curriculum materials. They also point out that many of
>the programs that the NSTA has developed in past years have been paid
>for by companies like Texaco and Exxon/Mobil.
>
>The issue is more complicated than the author makes it appear, but
>she does have a point.
>
>
>The points I thought worthy of discussion here:
>
>1. Is this typical NSTA behavior? I am not familiar with NSTA as I
>don't work much directly with Science Teachers. Are the Petroleum
>Industry sponsored curriculum materials as pro-energy usage and pro-
>petroleum industry as the author suggests? I recall the Reddy
>Kilowatt character from my youth and he certainly was.
>
>2. We all need money to produce our programs Many (most) of us apply,
>compete for , and sometimes even win grants from eleemosynary arms of
>large corporate entities that have vested interests in specific
>public policies and even candidates. The problems in censorship,
>external, internal and self, has been chewed over ad nauseam in the
>museum and popular press. But as a Director of a small center that
>takes corporate funding that is part of a larger entity that takes
>corporate funding, that is part of an even larger institution that
>takes corporate funding I find the NSTA decision odd. When you accept
>this type of money you have to be MORE careful not to appear biased.
>This move seems tailored made for controversy.
>
>Anyway, I have rambled on. Sorry.
>
>Discuss among yourselves.
>
>
>
>
>
>Matthew White
>Director, Hands On Science Center
>National Museum of American History
>Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
>202/633-3698
>[log in to unmask]
>
>
>
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