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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 As someone who works in a Natural History Museum and Nature Center, don't we all talk about the "everyday"? Helping the public to understand and appreciate the beauty and importance of the Natural World around us?  And although the "Idea" blog post does make some good points, the old adage of Natural History Museums as being dusty places with things under glass is, for the most part, gone.  Yes  - we have collections and do research; but we use technology,  tons of interactive; heck, we have an interactive Glacier in our museum, Gorge Walks at our Nature Center, Fossil trips, pit digs, music and science camps…

To claim that science centers are the unique purveyors of curiosity and interactive play is short sighted, to say the least.  Earth science/natural history museums, nature centers, zoos and aquaria  - this idea of evoking curiosity and play with the natural world around us, and gaining an understanding and appreciation for the beauty and majesty or our world – and it's history – is an integral  part of our mission.  To be sure, we would never get anyone through the door without it.

Come see our Glacier – Go see Sue – the Hall of Man – walk up and look one of John Gurche's hominids in the eye at the Smithsonian and tell me you aren't awe-struck with wonder and amazement, and completely curious about that nature of these things.

Carlyn S. Buckler, Ph.D.
Paleontological Research Institution
Ithaca, NY

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