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Nikki

I have several thoughts. The Science Museum of Minnesota used a technique
that maybe unique to their community, Talking Circles, which they used for
conversations about race. Unfortunately it did not seem to work at venues
because of money issues; these programs are is staff intensive and
therefore expensive. But you might contact Joanne Jones-Rizzi, Director,
Community Engagement e-mail: [log in to unmask] for details.

The Museum of Natural History (London) trained their docents/guides to
discuss issues about evolution with visitors in civil ways during an
exhibition celebrating the anniversary of the publication of Origin of
Species. I'd suggest discussing their program with Honor Gay [log in to unmask]

The Museum of the Earth in Ithaca published on their web site a few years
ago a guide for docents in dealing with visitors who question the museums
presentation of evolution. It might be helpful with increasingly
contentious visitors but as I recall it does not develop a program of civil
discourse.

A number of years ago I looked into techniques of conflict resolution to
initiate a program to discuss different perspectives about biotechnology
when it was a more contentious issue than it is today. Unfortunately I
could not get funding for the program. You might see if any of your local
universities have programs in conflict resolution. They might offer advice
and help in using their techniques in your programs.

One observation if you are to have civil discourse everyone involved has
the agree to be civil. Not always attainable.

Good Luck!

Martin

2012/2/10 Nikki Andersen <[log in to unmask]>

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
> institutions.
>
> *****************************************************************************
>
> Our community is seeking a neutral setting to learn more about current
> science issues and topics
>
> and then engage in civil dialogue, listening to various voices as folks
> seek
> to form their own
>
> perspectives on whatever. We're setting up a series structured around a
> presenter for 30 minutes
>
> followed by 30 minutes of civil conversation.
>
>
>
> If anyone has experience with this sort of programming, I'll appreciate
> your
> sharing what has
>
> worked well for you and what has not.
>
>
>
> Nikki Andersen
>
>
>
> ExplorationWorks! Executive Director
>
> 955 Carousel Way
>
> Helena, MT. 59601
>
> 406.457.1800 x 4
>
>
>
> "Poets say science takes away from the beauty of the stars - mere globs of
> gas atoms. I, too, can see the stars on a desert night, and feel them. But
> do I see less or more?"
> --  <http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1429989.Richard_P_Feynman>
> Richard
> P. Feynman
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ***********************************************************************
> For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and
> the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
>
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-- 
-----------------------------------------
Martin Weiss, PhD
Senior Scientist
New York Hall of Science
mweiss at nyscience.org
cell   347-460-1858
desk 718 595 9156

***********************************************************************
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.

The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit
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