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Well said, Ian.

And by the way?  "Hip" and "Grandparent" sounds too much like "Hip  
Replacement Grandparent"

If I'm not mistaken, there have been similar discussions on the list  
serve - you might want to check the archives.  I know Elder Hostel  
has a successful grandparent/grandchild program.

Better yet - why not have a free or reduced rate grandparent day and  
interview them to see what would be most motivating to them to  
participate?
	


On Jan 14, 2009, at 10:26 AM, Ian Russell wrote:

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> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology  
> Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related  
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>
> I'm not sure I agree that science centres should be thinking in  
> terms of
> teaching grandparents how to interact with children! I have to say  
> I've
> often been deeply impressed by what I've observed of the triangular
> interaction between child, exhibit and grandparent.
>
> I am totally 100% convinced that so-called science centre  
> 'explainers' have
> a huge amount to LEARN from grandparents.
>
> Grandparents know how to be supportive, how to listen, how to  
> praise and how
> to encourage. They know how to frame the slightly dopey-sounding  
> questions
> that stimulates thoughtful dialogue and exploratory engagement with  
> the
> exhibit.
>
> They know how to empower the child to feel clever and important.  
> They don't
> constantly emphasise their own superior knowledge or browbeat the  
> child with
> a crushing stream of 'explainations' and factoids. Above all, they  
> show a
> willingness to LEARN ALONGSIDE the child.
>
> Don't try to teach your grandmother how to suck eggs. She's  
> probably not
> aware of it, but she's already a brilliantly effective teacher.
>
> So communicate THAT message! And train your 'explainers' to do less
> 'explaining' and more empowering.
>
> Promoting public engagement with science
> through a contagious delight in phenomena
> *
> [log in to unmask] * http://www.interactives.co.uk
> *
> Give people facts and you feed their minds for an hour.
> Awaken curiosity and they feed their own minds for a lifetime.
> *
> Ian Russell
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Informal Science Education Network
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Fournier, Kathy
> Sent: 12 January 2009 14:16
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Grandparents
>
> We have began a Hip Grandparents series. In part this is to smooze the
> grandparent set for donations but we are also trying to also equip  
> them with
> information on how to interact with their grandchildren while at  
> the museum.
> We give them some science behind the exhibits so that when they  
> come with
> their grandchildren they can be an active participant and not be
> intimidated.
>
> Kathy Fournier
> Director of Science Education
> McWane Science Center
>
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