ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

Its a fad that comes and goes periodically.   It will ultimately prove too costly to operate  on a continuous basis, but is well worth the passing investment of time and energy.  I reflect that demonstrations and mentorship are not far from this domain of hands on museum activity.

It may more than anything reflect the current job market for young people, and shifting social dynamics, and a lack of vocational and lab opportunities in schools.  It's a valuable component of hands on engagement via exhibits.

In any case, it's heartening that museums can foster extended learning and tinkering.  It falls well within the current emphasis and interest in engineering in schools, and is lots of fun.

The Exploratorium would have been a large tinkering space but was limited by resources.   Hands on exhibits were a compromise solution to the original problem, but they also found traction and efficacy with respect to learning.

C 

***********************************************************************
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
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.

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]