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

What Jeff said. 

In almost every case when I've heard someone say "It won't work/won't be
good/etc if..." I can think of exceptions. I've seen great stuff at
centers that are small, and great stuff at ones that are immense. I've
seen great things that use common household materials, and ones that use
exotic, specialized equipment; great high-tech presentations + great
low-tech/almost no-tech ones. Great exhibits that are quiet +
contemplative, great ones that are loud + chaotic. Great ones that are
didactic + great ones that a complete free inquiry. And so on.

IMHO, one of the most important lessons about science centers can be
summed up by the great political leader Richard Wilkins III: "There's
more than one way to skin a cat. And I happen to know that's literally
true."

Jonah Cohen
Outreach & Public Programs Manager
The Children's Museum


"To be an inventor, you need a good imagination, and a big pile of
junk."
    -Thomas Edison

-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jeff Courtman



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

***********************************************************************
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]