ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions. ***************************************************************************** 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). -- *********************************************************************** More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at http://www.astc.org. 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]