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Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Jonah,  

I wish I could remember who said this.

"There maybe more than one way to skin a cat, but you just get one chance
per cat."


On 8/16/10 4:24 PM, "Jonah Cohen" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> 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
> 
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