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I have a Science Show called "Mad Science" that I wrote and
perform around Halloween that tries to breakdown the sterotype
of a scientist in a white lab coat, and communicate that
scientists can look like anyone.  I think the symbol of the mad
scientist with HIS white coat and crazy hair is still one that
resonates with young kids. Cartoons still depict this image and
we at science centers do as well (how many of your demonstrators
wear a lab coat during demos?).
Do we want to encourage kids to aspire to wear the "uniform" or
encourage them to see past the exterior?

Elib Crist-Dwyer
Program Coordinator
ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum
Ashland, Oregon

amaze yourself!



--- Carey Tisdal <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of
> Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and
> related institutions.
>
*****************************************************************************
> 
> Lath,
> 
> While we could sit around and work in our bathrobes (and do
> for those of us 
> with home-based offices--we even make jokes about it),
> clothing also has 
> that "tribal" function--part of group identity. So, while part
> of dress 
> decisions are functional, they take on a life of their own
> whereby 
> individual identify with a group and with group leadership.
> Technology 
> (literally tools) that is functional AND takes on a function
> of marking 
> group identity and status.
> 
> With other female evaluators, I have been amused to note that
> we inspect 
> each others shoes. Comfortable black shoes to stand for long
> periods and 
> travel well seem to be part of the uniform. Function and
> symbols are closely 
> connected and they change. That's why it is so fascinating to
> watch. Note 
> that the archeaology story posted was "in the field." I think
> that may be 
> the fertile source for new and lively science visual symbols.
> Many 
> scientific disciplines have a "field" component that may be a
> good source of 
> their unique symbols. I know a little about that in astronomy
> and 
> archaeology because I have worked on those types of projects.
> I find the 
> that a lot of the fun and commaraderie of the scientific
> enterprise comes 
> out in these expressions of identity. Teens and children pick
> up on it 
> immediately, and I suspect it may be part of what we assess as
> "interest in 
> scientific content."
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Carey
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Lath Carlson" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2006 11:20 AM
> Subject: Re: Scientist Dress Codes
> 
> 
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of
> Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and
> related 
> institutions.
>
*****************************************************************************
> 
> "But, you really have a point about the visual vocabulary--the
> one we
> have
> (and often use) is quickly becoming irrelevant and historic
> rather than
> a
> useful tool to depict different disciplines of science. That's
> one
> reason my
> mind turned to dress code--the best symbols are ones that work
> on
> several
> levels by emerging form the specific context and begin to
> "stand for"
> that
> context."
> 
> I think that the context dependency of style of dress is not
> really that
> different then that of tools. White lab coats make sense in
> the context
> of a lab where there is a potential for getting dirty, but
> this is less
> and less the environment in which scientists work. My concern
> is that
> the ubiquitous use of computers in all fields has severely
> limited our
> visual vocabulary. In addition that use of computers has
> effected dress
> codes in the same way. When everything from scientific
> research, to art,
> to manufacturing can be done by computer then there is no
> reason for
> these professions to maintain separate modes of dress. Heck,
> we can all
> just sit around in our pajamas at home in front of our
> laptops!
> 
> -Lath
> 
>
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