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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Greetings,
Here is a revised form of statement for the member institutions to consider.
Lisa Jo Rudy had valuable input to the revisions. She suggested the ladder
metaphor and making the language simpler.
Phil Edgerton, The Health Adventure, Asheville, NC.:

Science is like a ladder, with each step up the ladder depending upon the
strength of the step below.  Imagine each step of the ladder as a theory, or
idea.  First, a scientist suggests a theory based on his/her observations of
events, or "phenomena".   Then, the scientist tests the theory and presents
his or her findings.  Fellow scientists try the same experiments, and if
they have the same results the theory begins to be accepted . The new theory
makes another step up the ladder possible..
 What happens if fellow scientists try the same experiment, and get
different results?  The theory may have to be changed or no one can climb
the ladder, because the theory isn't strong enough. Scientific theories can
be changed by new evidence because they are not just opinions, or faith
statements. They are accepted in their new form supported by the independent
work of many different individuals.

Science has been very powerful in leading us to new observations and
predictions and to new technology. It has led to many of the technological
“wonders” we take for granted today. Think of the world before we understood
that "germs" cause disease! Remember how we landed humans on the moon!

Science won’t be able to give us all the answers, though. people have always
used art, religion, and philosophy to explore questions about the meaning
and relevance of life. These fields complement science. At a deep level,
there is really not so much conflict among all the fields.

The Theory of Evolution is like any other long-lived and tested scientific
theory. It organizes the field of biology and is backed up by physics,
geology, and paleontology. It is a major step on the science ladder! Is the
Theory of Evolution likely to be revised and expanded in the future? Of
course! But that revision is most properly done using the methods of science
itself. Science centers have the responsibility to show people how The
Theory of Evolution fits into science and how we understand our world. We
take that responsibility seriously!

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