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Interesting comments from everyone:

Charlie, I would suggest its not an instance of "either or."   
Institutions such as Philadelphia, Boston, The Exploratorium, Science  
North, and others have challenged certain aspects of the status quo  
over the years.  I tend to agree with you that science centers are  
places for informal learning, yet I'm not otherwise  convinced that  
its necessary to place limits on what can and can't be done.  Although  
I haven't been out there in a long time, I know Explora in Albuqerque  
intentionally turned away from the model of large and impressive  
exhibits in favor of more intimate, and one hoped, more reflective  
engagements on and around tabletops.  Certainly that was a challenge  
to the model most science centers are engaged in even now.

One of the things I have enjoyed about the field for so many years is  
the lack of codification - that a science center must be this or must  
be that.  One of the characteristics that describes what I would  
consider as the more personally interesting centers are those actively  
engaged in exploring the edges of the envelope.  I like your view of  
museums  as essentially being about stuff, whether artifact or  
experience - I would just add the caveat that I think museum is not  
the best word for centers that are other than artifact based.

I believe science centers, and other informal environments were  
created at the overlap between expert cultures - in this instance,  
between science and education.  Depending on the institutions, you  
could certainly add art, or even entertainment, to the mix.  My point  
is when we borrow directly, nothing much new or interesting occurs;  
when we dig and play in those overlaps,

Charlie, thanks again for your insightful reflections.

Jeff Courtman

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