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It's also constitutional to learn about religion in a philosophy class (as
the recent Dover ruling highlighted).

I don't know how the exhibitors are organized but if the AIG booth was
located in the "Philosophy" section (or whatever other discipline it falls
under), then that would be perfectly acceptable.  In the "Science"
section, well, then we would be justified in raising a stink...

Frank Kusiak
Cyberville Gallery Leader
Saint Louis Science Center
5050 Oakland Ave
St. Louis, MO 63110
Office:  1-314-286-4659
Fax:  1-314-286-4606





David Smith <[log in to unmask]>
Sent by: Informal Science Education Network
<[log in to unmask]>
07/04/2007 09:17 AM
Please respond to
Informal Science Education Network <[log in to unmask]>


To
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Subject
Re: Creation group at NEA conference






ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
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It is not unconstitutional to teach mining company propaganda in the
public
schools.  It is  not the establishment of religion to discuss Michael
Crichton's shoddy research and writing.  That's the difference.  The
Supreme
Court and lower courts have ruled repeatedly that doctrines of creationism
in any of its guises, including intelligent design, may not be taught in
public schools, as it is in clear violation of the establishment clause.
The NEA is an organization of public school teachers.  As one of the most
public voices of science in our communities, I do think science center
educators need to speak out on this issue.

Dave Smith
Da Vinci Science Center

On 7/4/07, [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> 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 see why it is the role of the science museum community to
> protest  to
> the NEA about the content of an exhibit at their convention. Exhibits at
> education conventions often uphold beliefs that are one sided. For
> example,
> mining consortiums often exhibit at science education conventions about
> the
> benefits of strip mining and how little environmental impact these
> activities  have
> on the environment. As someone with a degree in Environmental Studies, I
> know their information omits evidence on the other side of the issue. I
> have the
> choice of entering the booth or not. I often do pick up their materials
> because  they have good materials on geology and it keeps me up to date
> on  the
> current arguments they are using to support what I perceive
> as  environmentally
> destructive activities.
>
> Michael Crichton recently wrote a book called "State of Fear" in which
he
> attacks the notion of global warning. Do we go after book sellers
because
> they
> sell the book? Should we examine the list of exhibitors at the NEA
> conference
> to  make certain that there isn't one run by the scientists that do not
> support  global warning?
>
> I believe that the people in attendance at the NEA conference are just
as
> knowledgeable and informed as we are. I'm sure that the NEA conference
> also has
> many booths that support evolution. Some of the people who enter the AiG
> booth may be influenced by the religious stand. Others may be gathering
> information to use against creationism. Some people may need to pick up
> the info  becau
> se their state currently requires the teaching of creationism along with
> evolution.
>
> This strikes me as a free speech issue. The audience is comprised of
> knowledgeable adults. Let them decide for themselves.
>
> Jeannine Finton
> Education Consultant
>
>
>
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--
David L. Smith
Allentown, PA
[log in to unmask]

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