ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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The Making of an Experiment Bench
June 10-12, 2004
This is a NSF-funded exhibit development workshop at the Science
Museum of Minnesota.
For application form and more information contact Chris Burda at [log in to unmask]
or phone 651-221-4719.

Are your visitors looking for close encounters with science?
The Science Museum of Minnesota is hosting an event around a long
dwell-time, visitor-controlled exhibit-form known as an experiment
bench.

What is it? An experiment bench is an exhibit format that hands
controls to the visitor
in a way that makes real experimenting possible. Experiment benches
at SMM encourage
visitors to spend five to thirty minutes at a single exhibit
component investigating interesting phenomena in physics, wet
biology, and mathematics.  Project Advisor Tom Simpson suggests,
A successful Experiment Bench is a bridge from the desert of
alienation to the garden of empowerment. Come decide for yourself.
Bring exhibit ideas of your own.

This Experiment Bench workshop is a behind-the-scenes tour, a
critique, a philosophical journey, and a "how-to" clinic rolled into
one 2 1/2-day event. We're looking for up to 40 museum
professionals-novice and experienced from science museums of all
sizes-to explore the nature of the experiment and apply this to the
making of an experiment bench.

Apply now!
- Must receive application by May 3, 2004.
- Buddy system encouraged: Two participants per museum may apply.
- Cost to participant: incidentals and drinks only
- Participants receive: workshop materials; travel (airfare only, up
to $500; 3 nights' hotel lodging (double-occupancy); meals (Thursday:
dinner; Friday/Saturday: breakfast, lunch and dinner).

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