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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Martin,
You are right, The Beak of the Finch is a good book. I like the pictures-
An exhibit that tinkers with the notion of how people reason or the
derivation of reasoning is an interesting subject, perhaps this concept
alone merits a discussion?
Bill Schmitt,
I was thinking about how the quality of standards maintained by learning
institutions could effect change in a society over time, but after reading
your note it looks like the museum field is the last vestige of dynamic
learning. I hope we can exact change with our visitors now but that is a
daunting task, especially when exhibit development teams have
increasingly less time to develop exhibits for production. Developing an
exhibit that has multiple outcomes, direct language for comprehensive
understanding and conquering a controversial issue is rather difficult. If
you add in universal design, and those visitors with acute faith based
learning then you've got a bloody tall hill to climb, not to mention that
some people on your project team think differently about it-
Richard
martin weiss
<[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask]
Sent by: Informal cc:
Science Education Subject: Re: IMAX and evolution
Network
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.LSOFT.COM>
03/23/05 01:56 PM
Please respond to
Informal Science
Education Network
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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Richard;
You make an interesting point. I wonder how many of your visitors
came away with the idea, as stated in your exhibit, and could use it
appropriately?
I think the problems are the difference between faith based reasoning
and scientific based reasoning, our need to present evolution as
being relevant to our visitors lives, that it something that is
ongoing right now all around and within us and that we should not
worry that someone is going to object to what we are presenting.
There are many, many deeply religious people (scientists included)
who accept evolution. Maybe these are folks who should be out in
front.
Martin
>Perhaps an exhibit on the difference between objectivity and subjectivity
>might help? I looked at an exhibit I worked on recently that is among a
>suite of 18 human evolution exhibits, it is about the use of the word
>theory and it reminded me of what Cliff suggested, "a position statement"
>is needed.
>The use of correct terminology is a place to start-
>
>Our exhibit is called "Scientific Theory... it's not just a guess!"
>The "Try This:" panel states:
>1.Turn a drum to read about a theory ( 4 drum examples include:
>heliocentric theory, conversational use of theory, atomic theory,and human
>evolution).
>2.How does the common use of the word "theory" compare to the use of the
>term "Scientific Theory"?
>
>The "What's going on?" panel states:
>The word Theory is commonly used to refer to ideas that are based on
>personal opinion, beliefs or hunches. A scientific theory, however,
>is an explanation of some aspect of the natural world supported by a large
>body of scientifically gathered evidence. Although a scientific theory is
>always a work in progress, it is widely accepted in the scientific
>community...
>
>When educational entities fail to communicate the most basic qualities of
>science, such as evolution, the public will fail to recognize the
>difference between objectivity and subjectivity.
>
>Richard Osborn
>
>Project Manager/Designer
>St.Louis Science Center
>(314) 533 8923
>mobile 660 2507
>[log in to unmask]
>
>
>
>
>
>
> "(Charles Stout)"
> <[log in to unmask]> To:
>[log in to unmask]
> Sent by: Informal cc:
> Science Education Subject: Re:
>IMAX and evolution
> Network
> <[log in to unmask]
> .LSOFT.COM>
>
>
> 03/22/05 01:25 PM
> Please respond to
> Informal Science
> Education Network
>
>
>
>
>
>
>ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
>institutions.
>
*****************************************************************************
>
>
>Some comments on key points in this string:
>
>Relax. Take a deep breath. Consider.
>
>- Preference to be unemployed rather than bowing to opposing viewpoints:
>This seems a bit hyperbolic. There are too many other important subjects
>that
>are at least as important as evolution. Will you give up on those, too?
>Thank
>hard about that: I stopped pursuing archaeology rather than submit to the
>intellectually vacuous NAGPRA. I had a number of other interests, so no
>big deal,
>but life would have been different had a chosen to stick with it.
>
>- Preference for dialog: Dialog to what end? "Can't we all just get
along?"
>
>Is the mission of science centers to understand and get along with critics
>or
>present science to those who wish to understand science? Institutions need
>to
> look closely at their intended market and align that with their revenue
>stream (Does Fox "News" target you as a viewer?). Neither people nor
>organizations have ever been able to stand on principle without financial
>security. So,
>if the field wishes to take a principled stand on any controversial
issue,
>it
>must make sure that individuals and our institutions can take care of
>ourselves and are not vulnerable to the old fashioned kind of denial of
>service
>attack.
>
>- Funding sources force institutions to curb their message: And what's new
>
>about this?
>
>Best to all,
>
>Charlie
>
>Charles Stout
>Media Arts Manager
>Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
>220 East Ann Street
>Ann Arbor, MI 48170
>
>
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--
Martin Weiss, Ph.D
Vice President, Science
New York Hall of Science
47-01 111 th Street
Corona, New York 11368
718 699 0005 x 356
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