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Thanks Matthew -
This brings up an interesting problem with science. At its very roots 
have been the struggle between science as an aspect of human creative 
endeavor: the motive of which is the understanding of Nature (the 
ideal); and the business side of science, which is to develop ways to 
manipulate nature to make money. Most of science resides somewhere 
between these two poles: overall there should be a balance.

But here is a case in which the balance may have broken down. If what 
the article states is even partially true, the NSTA's credibility is 
compromised and they have a lot of explaining and damage control to do. 
The NSTA is the gatekeeper for the integrity of science teaching in the 
United States, and I would be willing to bet that a significant number 
of teachers would be appalled to read this article.

Problems of funding educational institutions make it difficult to resist 
making deals with some devils, but it seem like the NSTA may have lost 
sight of the forest in pursuit of the trees.  There are lessons to be 
learned from this for us all.


-- 
Stephen Miles Uzzo
Director of Technology
New York Hall of Science
47-01 111th Street
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
New York 11368     U.S.A.
v. +1.718.699.0005 x377
f. +1.718.699.1341
http://www.nyscience.org





Matthew White wrote:
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related 
> institutions.
> ***************************************************************************** 
>
>
> There was an interesting piece in the Outlook section of the 
> Washington Post this morning that I thought I would bring to the 
> attention of hte group for discussion.
>
> The article was written by Laurie David,  one of the producers of Al 
> Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth."
>
> The article can be found at 
> http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/24/AR2006112400789.html 
>
>
> A brief synopsis:
>
> Apparently the makers of the movie wanted to give thousands of copies 
> away to schools. They contacted the NSTA and offered them 50,000 
> copies for distribution. The NSTA declined the offer. Here is the 
> pertinent paragraph with their reply:
>
> "In their e-mail rejection, they expressed concern that other "special 
> interests" might ask to distribute materials, too; they said they 
> didn't want to offer "political" endorsement of the film; and they saw 
> "little, if any, benefit to NSTA or its members" in accepting the free 
> DVDs."
>
> The article then goes on to compare that position with the NSTA's 
> cooperation, some would say complicity, in helping the oil industry 
> deliver their curriculum materials. They also point out that many of 
> the programs that the NSTA has developed in past years have been paid 
> for by companies like Texaco and Exxon/Mobil.
>
> The issue is more complicated than the author makes it appear, but she 
> does have a point.
>
>
> The points I thought worthy of discussion here:
>
> 1. Is this typical NSTA behavior? I am not familiar with NSTA as I 
> don't work much directly with Science Teachers.  Are the Petroleum 
> Industry sponsored curriculum materials as pro-energy usage and 
> pro-petroleum industry as the author suggests? I recall the Reddy 
> Kilowatt character from my youth and he certainly was.
>
> 2. We all need money to produce our programs Many (most) of us apply, 
> compete for , and sometimes even win grants from eleemosynary arms of 
> large corporate entities that have  vested interests in specific 
> public policies and even candidates.  The problems in censorship, 
> external, internal and self, has been chewed over ad nauseam in the 
> museum and popular press.  But as a Director of a small center that 
> takes corporate funding that is part of a larger entity that takes 
> corporate funding, that is part of an even larger institution that 
> takes corporate funding I find the NSTA decision odd. When you accept 
> this type of money you have to be MORE careful not to appear biased. 
> This move seems tailored made for controversy.
>
> Anyway, I have rambled on. Sorry.
>
> Discuss among yourselves.
>
>
>
>
>
> Matthew White
> Director, Hands On Science Center
> National Museum of American History
> Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
> 202/633-3698
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
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