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From:
"Hancock, Clark" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Informal Science Education Network <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 16 Oct 2007 09:55:14 -0500
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ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

You might take a look at existing graduate level programs in
Interpretation. As for certification programs, NAI efforts in this area
are worth a look. I would also suggest that while schools of education
may seem like the best fit a cross-discipline approach that would
include schools of science, communication and theatre as well as
education would be most appropriate (content, theory, presentation
technique).

Clark Hancock
Exhibit & Collections Coordinator
Austin Nature & Science Center
301 Nature Center Dr.
Austin, TX  78746
(512) 327-8181 ext.14
(fax) (512) 327-8745
 
work schedule: Tues - Sat
 
"Big things that are distant too often take precedence over important
things right under the nose."
 -Roy Bedichek

-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Charles Carlson
Sent: Monday, October 15, 2007 10:47 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: standards - more

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


Beryl,

A couple of things: I agree that many talented people have come to  
the museum field from very diverse backgrounds; it's really amazing  
and fun.  Secondly, the field is really, really small!  Couple these  
observations with the fact that we have an almost steady stream of  
folks with research backgrounds, etc. streaming into the  
Exploratorium looking for employment and project positions (I'm sure  
this true at many other institutions as well.) and I become dubious  
of the potential benefits of certification program .  Clearly, more  
education is good, but what being provided?  An entry point? A  
standard? A leg up on the competition? To be measured against? Is the  
school of education the right spot? etc.??  (Classroom teaching is a  
distant cousin to informal education...the approach, the methodology,  
the subjects, the metrics. )

Hopefully, this is some food for thought.
Charlie
On Oct 15, 2007, at 6:42 AM, Beryl Rosenthal wrote:

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

> *******
>
> Ok, so having started this whole thing - I initially raised the  
> question as UMass is considering developing a museum education  
> certificate.  It is still in the very early brainstorming stage (as  
> far as we know there may not even be a need, so I am calling for us  
> to offer some courses as electives within the Grad School of  
> Education to test the waters - it's the closest you can get to  
> front end/prototyping within the system!)
>
> My query was launched as a way to think about what courses we  
> should offer, what are the kinds of things a museum educator should  
> know.  In my experience, it has generally taken me at least 6  
> months to re-educate a former classroom teacher to the culture of  
> museum education.  On the flip side, I have had a number of really  
> gifted incredible thinkers who had no experience in the content or  
> in museum ed work for me and pick it up during training.  As Jeff  
> notes, many of us "snuck" into the field, often because no courses  
> were widely available (Side note, my undergrad degree was a BFA).
> That's the context.
>
> Beryl
>
> -- 
>
> Beryl Rosenthal, Ph.D.
> Director, Tsongas Industrial History Center
> Boott Cotton Mills
> 115 John Street
> Lowell, MA 01854
> (978) 970-5081 (t)
> (978) 970-5085 (f)
> http://www.uml.edu/tsongas
>
> **********************************************************************

> *
> For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers  
> and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
>
> Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at  
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Charles Carlson
Director of Life Sciences
exploratorium
3601 Lyon St.
San Francisco, CA 94123
[log in to unmask]
Tel:   415-561-0319
Fax:  415-561-0370



***********************************************************************
For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and
the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.

Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at
www.exhibitfiles.org.

The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft.
To learn more, visit
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To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]

***********************************************************************
For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.

Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.

The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.

To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
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