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Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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I think it is very important to alert ALL museum staff that your institution is developing a controversial exhibit.  When we opened the DNA Zone at St. Louis, we knew we would be targeted by activists on both sides of the genetic engineering equation, and in fact we were.  As a precaution, we wanted to make sure that all floor staff knew enough to be conversant.  We also had to make sure that the Marketing and PR department were ready to respond, so they had to be conversant.

Does anyone know if the traveling exhibit on "Truth" set off alarm bells?  It seems to me that that exhibit would have really required staff to be trained.

Beryl 


-----Original Message-----
>From: Martin Weiss <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Dec 9, 2013 4:31 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Controversial exhibitions and staff
>
>ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
>*****************************************************************************
>
>Erich
>
>You are fast off the mark using your phone. I imagine you could not wait to
>get back to your office cpu. :)
>
>The question really comes from our experience in the 90's when we were part
>of a consortium and developed an exhibition about AIDS called What About
>AIDS? This was controversial then as much was not known by the general
>public about transmission, the virus and treatment. The virus had just been
>identified, treatments were rudimentary compared to today ns not available
>everywhere and fear and suspicions was abundant. We developed with ASTC
>training for venues before they received the exhibition and encouraged all
>to include all staff in their training. We travelled three copies of the
>exhibition and there was little or any problems. But then again venues did
>self select in having the exhibition and visitors made decisions about
>going to the exhibition with or without their children.
>
>Yes I am aware that natural history and science museums and scientific
>associations have developed standard statements of support for evolution
>especially around the time of the Dover trial however I am unaware of any
>who present the science behind programs and exhibitions beyond docents and
>education staff for evolution or climate change or any exhibition that is
>perceived to be controversial. I'd like to know.
>
>Martin
>
>
>On Mon, Dec 9, 2013 at 4:16 PM, Erich Rose <[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.
>>
>> *****************************************************************************
>>
>> I think it would be very important to have addressed this before hand.
>> Many Natural history museums have developed standard responses to
>> creationists and others regarding science versus faith.  But now you have
>> us all wondering what this exhibit is, or will be?
>>
>> Erich Rose
>>
>> Erich Rose Design
>> Austin, TX
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> > On Dec 9, 2013, at 3:02 PM, Martin Weiss <[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.
>> >
>> *****************************************************************************
>> >
>> > When you have an exhibition that is or is perceived to be controversial
>> how
>> > much of an effort do you put into informing staff, educating staff,
>> trying
>> > to convince staff of the science so that they can converse with visitors
>> in
>> > an "appropriate manner"? How about for any exhibition? How much effort do
>> > you put into informing—
>> > non educational staff—general staff?
>> >
>> > Or is that not perceived to be important?
>> >
>> > Martin
>> >
>> > --
>> > –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
>> > Martin Weiss, PhD
>> > Senior Scientist
>> > New York Hall of Science
>> > mweiss at nyscience.org
>> > cell   347-460-1858
>> > desk 718 595 9516
>> >
>> > --
>> > CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
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>
>
>-- 
>–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
>Martin Weiss, PhD
>Senior Scientist
>New York Hall of Science
>mweiss at nyscience.org
>cell   347-460-1858
>desk 718 595 9516
>
>-- 
>CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:
> 
>This message is intended solely for the addressee(s) in the first instance 
>and may contain confidential information.  Please do not forward this email 
>without the consent of the sender.
>
>***********************************************************************
>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
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