ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

We've always had PhD scientists on staff, sometimes more, sometimes fewer.  Right now, we have 3 PhD scientists, and 3-4 PhD/EdD.  Its sad to say, but PhD scientists aren't particularly expensive.  I just learned that NIH rates for post docs tops out at $42K in NY, I assume its lower elsewhere.

None of the PhD scientists are "actual working scientists" at this stage in their careers, but rather are people with a deep scientific background who have chosen to go into public education.  I think there are more of these types around that one might expect, who get PhD's and then decide that research isn't for them.  

I have found that whether someone has a PhD is not a useful predictor of how productive they will be in a museum setting.  That said, those PhD's who are successful in our settings add a lot more than just dressing up a donor event.  

Eric Siegel


On Aug 11, 2010, at 3:05 PM, Fournier, Kathy 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 too think it is more of a money issue. We have had it both ways and while having an actual working scientist in a specific field lends credit to certain events (donor events, member events, grants, etc) it is the Education staff overall that have the talents to bring science to the masses that is our visitorship. 
> 
> Kathy Fournier
> Director of Science Education
> McWane Science Center
> 200 19th Street North
> Birmingham, AL 35209
> 205-714-8254
> [log in to unmask]
> 
> 
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Informal Science Education Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jeff Rosenblatt
> Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 2010 2:00 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: science staff
> 
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
> 
> If you've got the money, sure.
> Otherwise, I look for staff who have an "interest" in science and an
> "ability" to learn/master/present new facts, topics or concepts in an
> everyday manner.
> 
> --Jeff--
> 
> Jeff Rosenblatt
> Director, Science City
> 
> Union Station Kansas City, Inc.
> 30 W. Pershing Rd.  Suite 850
> Kansas City, MO  64108
> Office:  816-460-2218
> [log in to unmask]
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Informal Science Education Network
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of William Moser
> Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 2010 9:19 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: science staff
> 
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
> Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
> institutions.
> ************************************************************************
> *****
> 
> 
> I'm wondering what various science center staff members think of the
> value of having one or more "science people" on staff.  By that I mean
> either professional scientists or other professionals with a strong
> background and knowledge base in science, besides just education staff.
> 
> 
> ***********************************************************************
> 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
> http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.
> 
> To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
> message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
> [log in to unmask]
> 
> ***********************************************************************
> 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
> http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.
> 
> To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
> message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
> [log in to unmask]
> 
> ***********************************************************************
> 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
> http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.
> 
> To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
> message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
> [log in to unmask]

***********************************************************************
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
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.

To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]