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Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Tim;

	I agree. Visitors come to us for unbiased information about 
science and they respect us for that. Much better to educate them 
about the science of the issues and then let them send their 
petitions. I'd be afraid we'd be viewed as biased for certain 
positions and loose credibility.

Martin

>
>
>"does this seem like a way to get more people involved in any issue for
>which science centers start to "advocate"/talk about policy?"
>
>I would have to say yes.  People who are interested in and respect our
>institutions would probably just visit the website and sign any petition
>that we put out in front of them.  I think that it's more our job to educate
>and inspire our guests.  If we can truly do that, they'll find their way to
>those petitions (or find some other way to make a difference). 
>
>Tim Oldread
>Public Programs Coordinator
>Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
>1600 Ken Thompson Parkway
>Sarasota, FL  34236
>Phone: 941-388-4441 x369
>Fax: 941-388-4381
>E-mail: [log in to unmask]
>
>"We may find that not only are life systems more complex than we think,
>they are also more complex than we can think."
>
>
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Informal Science Education Network
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Katie Stofer
>Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2007 10:21 AM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Visitors and petitions - action on climate change
>
>
>ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
>institutions.
>****************************************************************************
>*
>
>Has anyone ever tried (for climate change or other issue) directing
>visitors to online petitions such as this one for the UN Climate
>Conference in Bali? http://www.avaaz.org/en/bali_emergency
>
>I'm thinking either through a kiosk in the center or through e-mailings
>to members. What about a specific science center action email list (for
>members or non-members) for petitions such as these? Yes, online
>petitions have their problems, but would this be a next step people
>could take, or a way to connect things they gleaned from their center
>visit to changes at home, work, or school?
>
>Aside from the technical issues of hosting a kiosk, does this seem like
>a way to get more people involved in any issue for which science centers
>start to "advocate"/talk about policy?
>
>--
>--
>Kathryn Stofer
>TerraLink Exhibit Manager
>Interim SpaceLink Exhibit Manager
>Maryland Science Center
>601 Light Street
>Baltimore, Maryland 21230
>410/545-5976
>410/545-5974 fax
>http://www.marylandsciencecenter.org/exhibits/terralink.html
>
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>
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>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.
>
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-- 
Martin Weiss, PhD
Science Interpretation
Consultant,
New York Hall of Science

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Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.

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