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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Ditto here.
It's often frustrating to be developing a program and have some really cool ideas and then have someone point out the potential "danger" involved. No candles, no balloons, no peanuts or any nuts (or just watch out for food in general), no sharp tools..... very distressing.
I was once doing the classic butter-making activity (shaking cream in a jar) and a coworker pointed out that lots of kids have dairy allergies. To which I said "well, the activity is called Making BUTTER. I hope the parents would read that and figure out that dairy is involved!"
While it's of course important for us to be as safe as we can, there comes a point at which the parents/adults need to take some responsibility and I don't know how we can this across without angering visitors.
AD
-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Beryl Rosenthal
Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 9:53 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Liability - Topic for astc 2007?
ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************
Jeff,
I would be very interested in a session. Though far from being an
expert, I have had several "interesting" experiences (no, I'm not a
walking disaster!) For example, I once supervised a science
theater. You know the kind, big demos that involve fairly flashy
stuff. We always, ALWAYS made it clear that these activities should
NOT be attempted at home for safety reasons. There was always some
kid who would do it anyway, and then we'd get the call from the
parents. We had to start posting warning signs, making opening
warning speeches, and came close to not doing the demos at all. (NB
- where were the parents when their kids were doing all this???) Not
good.
Beryl
At 8:23 AM -0500 9/20/06, jeff courtman wrote:
>ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
>*****************************************************************************
>
>the balloon thing got me thinking:
>
>liability is a bugaboo for science centers and the like; we encourage the
>sort of activity (i hope) that leads to more excited play by children. yet,
>surprisingly, if i understand correctly, our liability carriers don't charge
>us an arm and a leg for coverage. but accidents do happen and if you're in
>the field long enough you will likely witness either a claim or a lawsuit or
>some other unpleasantness (or maybe i'm unlucky).
>
>I would love to hear from experts in the field about the questions of
>liability, and how we might focus our institutional thinking without
>becoming paranoid to the point of silliness (Warning: your morning coffee
>may be extremely hot. Do not spill it on your legs. Do not pour on your
>pets or your coworkers.)
>
>If there's interest from others, i'll see what i can do....
>
>Jeff Courtman
>Exhibits & Special Projects Coordinator
>251.208.6851
>Exploreum Science Center
>www.exploreum.net <http://www.exploreum.net/>
>
>
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>More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
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>[log in to unmask]
--
Beryl Rosenthal, Ph.D.
Director of Exhibitions and Public Programs
MIT Museum
265 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02139
Tel: 617-452-2111
Fax: 617-253-8994
[log in to unmask]
"A great place to explore ideas, invention, and innovation:
http://web.mit.edu/museum"
***********************************************************************
More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at http://www.astc.org.
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]
***********************************************************************
More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at http://www.astc.org.
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]
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