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Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Although not a face to face science educator/facilitator, I do contribute to the development of affective experiences to facilitate a comfort with, appreciation for and an understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

With respect to the comment: "My experience (I teach college freshman biology & chemistry) is that, for some classes, students can opt to take the final-exam-only for full class credit if they think they have equivalent experience. I have _never_ had any student pass even the 1st semester, community college level, introductory biology or chemistry final exam without taking the class. This includes a student who had been a lab technician for 4 years and one who had a BS in engineering."

Having a BA chemistry, myself, looking at my old college freshman chemistry text (yes, I kept it), decades later I am 100% positive I could not pass the first semester final exam without a lot of review. As a PhD in anthropology with an emphasis on trend surface analysis and modeling, I am also 100% positive I couldn't pass the college freshman calculus final exam either. I simply continue to use the parts of those disciplines I need and the rest atrophies. I certainly wouldn’t hold anyone else to that standard.

With respect to the comment: "What are the dangers of setting standards? Well, one danger is that it will be harder for artists to find jobs as science educators, and visa versa." 

Hopefully, people with art backgrounds would still be in a position to start and direct great science organizations such as mine, such the first director and a founder of my institution -- people who can set the direction of the institution on a path that affects aesthetic sensitivities and draws people with diverse frames of reference toward an appreciation for science, comfort and curiosity with it, and ultimately understanding of science as a process.

Best regards,

Charles Stout
Media Arts Manager
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
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