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Subject:
Re: Emergence of Science Centers
From:
Rita Mukherjee Hoffstadt <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Informal Science Education Network <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:57:30 -0400
Content-Type:
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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.
*****************************************************************************

Beryl,

What a can of worms you've opened ;-). Yes overall I would agree, but I think that's because  1) there are many more science and children's informal education institution that are "centers" due to their relatively youthful age and 2) overall ASTC/ACM institutions tend to be more progressive with respect to how they interface with visitors in comparison to the rest of the "museum" field. But speaking for science/children's "museums," I think we are just as interested as "centers" are in engaging our visitors in impactful learning.

-Rita

--
 Rita Mukherjee Hoffstadt
Assistant Director of Traveling Exhibits and Special Projects
The Franklin Institute
222 North 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: 215 448 1309
Fax: 215 448 1188

Exhibit Services at TFI: http://www.fi.edu/exhibitservices/
Sustainability at TFI: http://www.fi.edu/change/







On 3/30/11 2:28 PM, "Beryl Rosenthal" <[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 agree, the presence or absence of collections is a clear marker.  However, IMHO, after spending 30 years in both kinds of settings, I will say that  science centers are far and away much more savvy about how visitors learn, and how to utilize technology more effectively (now that I've opened THAT can of worms!)  They also have a greater sense of humor.  However, museums have a much clearer sense of their own collective history and place in society.
Beryl

Beryl Rosenthal, PhD
Executive Director, Waterworks Museum
[log in to unmask]
www.waterworksmuseum.org
2450 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02467
617.277.0065
"Get Pumped!"

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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
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