ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions. ***************************************************************************** …and you'd eliminate the stereotype of the lab-coated scientist. Beryl On Aug 30, 2010, at 5:51 PM, Paul Orselli wrote: > ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers > Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions. > ***************************************************************************** > > Hi Michele, > > I feel your pain. Unfortunately, perception often trumps factual > information. > > I had the occasion to speak with two of the world's foremost lice > researchers (at Harvard and the University of British Columbia) when trying > to diffuse a similar exhibit situation. It didn't matter that both of the > "experts" said hard plastic construction helmets couldn't possibly support > head lice --- a few board members stamping their feet shouted the exhibits > and education departments down. > > The brief bottom line, based on lice abatement studies and research, is that > in the case of both plastic goggles and lab coats, head lice would not be an > issue. > > Good luck trying to convince the teachers --- they honestly sound like they > are "itching" for a fight. (Sorry!) > Would they feel comfortable with just the hard plastic eye protectors? > > If not, I might suggest focusing on "lice resistant" props and tools > (clipboards, magnifying lenses, etc.) that scientists might use rather than > articles of clothing. > > > -------------------------------------------------- > > Paul Orselli, President and Chief Instigator > > Paul Orselli Workshop (POW!) > World Headquarters > 1684 Victoria Street > Baldwin, NY 11510 > > (516) 223-1043 > > POW! website > <http://www.orselli.net> > > Exhibit tips + tricks at the ExhibiTricks blog: > <http://blog.orselli.net> > > > > We are preparing to launch a mobile classroom and want to outfit the >> students >> with goggles and lab coats when they walk in the door to help them get in >> the >> mindset to be a scientist. However, when we mentioned lab coats the >> teachers >> were worried - actually worried is a minor word - about lice. >> >> Has anyone had experience with sterilizing either goggles or lab coats? Is >> lice >> an issue anyone has encountered? Any advice? >> >> Thanks, Michele >> >> Michele Laverty >> Director Ag Science Center >> [log in to unmask] >> P.O. Box 4937 >> Modesto, CA 95352-4893 >> > > *********************************************************************** > 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] Beryl Rosenthal, PhD Executive Director, Waterworks Museum [log in to unmask] 617.277.0065 *********************************************************************** 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]