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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Chuck,  

As exhibits have evolved from purely phenomena-based manifestations of text books to themed, immersive environments and as "interactivity" has evolved from visitor-machine (push a button) to visitor-visitor oriented activities & exhibits, things have become more accessible to everyone.  

I also want to say that my whole career has been one where I seldom worked on teams that were not a full mix of men, women, old and young.  And that was certainly not the norm when I started as an industrial designer (late 70's, early 80's) doing coffee makers and bicycles.  That environment was highly testosterone driven.

So, I believe the good news is that the field as a whole is moving toward a truly universal standard.  Not necessarily one where everything fits everyone, but where there is enough variety and depth that everyone can come away happy and fulfilled.

Erich Rose

Erich Rose Design
807 The Living End
Austin, TX 78746
512-626-9930; [log in to unmask]

On Nov 1, 2010, at 2:50 PM, Chuck Howarth 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 attended a workshop a couple of years ago with Cornelia Brunner of the Education Development Center.  She has done a lot of work on gender equity, especially with respect to media products.  At the risk of misquoting and oversimplifying, she said that there is an established body of research that suggests that girls think differently about the world than boys.  The problems with engaging girls in science are in part a result of failure to acknowledge and address those differences.  On average, boys tend to be more interested in control (What does this thing do? What can I make it do?) while girls tend to be more focused on context (Why does this matter?  What is its importance?)  
> 
> If so, then "typical" science center exhibits that focus on stuff, technology, and how things work could be expected to appeal more strongly to boys, while exhibits that integrate people, narrative, and context might have stronger appeal to girls.  

> Chuck Howarth, Vice President
> ____________________________________
> 
> G Y R O S C O P E I N C

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