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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Since you asked this on an ASTC listserv, you are getting a certain perspective.  But I think it will be useful to talk to collections-based science museums like AMNH, Denver, the Cal Academy and other progressive natural history museums, and even living collections like zoos about how they perceive the distinction.  As smart and cool as science centers are...as someone said we have a better sense of humor, and I would add we are better looking... we certainly can learn from the collections-based folks.

e

On Mar 30, 2011, at 12:13 PM, Andrea Motto wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
> 
> Hello friends and smart people,
> I'm working on a paper for a History of Science class regarding the
> social and political climate surrounding the emergence of science
> centers and I would love to get some perspective from the field. What
> are your criteria for a "science center" (as opposed to a museum,
> though there is certainly crossover) and which institutions do you
> consider to be the firsts in the field, that is, the people and places
> who founded our industry. How, if at all, do you make the distinction
> between a science center and a museum? When was the science center
> born and how do I know one when I see it? I'm sure there is no clear
> answer, but I would love to hear some opinions. Once I know the "what"
> and "when" I can start looking at the "how" and "why." I know of work
> on the history of the Exploratorium, but what other institutional
> histories are worthy of exploration?
> 
> -- 
> Andrea Motto
> Graduate Research Assistant
> Virginia Tech
> Blacksburg, VA
> [log in to unmask]
> 
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