Informal Learning Experiences, Inc.

Website Links

Description

Following up to our very successful "What is the Science Center of 2020?" Conversation at the AAM Annual Conference in April 2008, Mac West and Amsterdam-based museum consultant Andrea Bandelli will be hosting a similar discussion, this time with a European twist. The session will be at 2008 Annual Conference of the European Network of Science Centres and Museums (ECSITE) . To assist the many visitors who have asked about these sessions, we've posted the session description and the session bibliography below. Session description The external societal environment in which science centers operate is changing rapidly. Information is gathered and exchanged in new and often-uncontrolled or supervised ways, applied research is generating new and exciting tools of all sorts, basic research is revealing fascinating things about how the physical and biological worlds operate and intersect, and society itself is evolving along with all this. Science centers emerged in their basic current configuration in the last three decades of the 20th century. We have added some bells and whistles, are beginning to deal with Web 2.0 and various social networking systems, and are looking with interest at the emerging virtual worlds. In addition, science center leaders are examining the relationships between the public presentation of science and the academic and industrial research centers that are so rapidly expanding our knowledge and questioning the role of the science center as a research organization itself. Typically characterized as attractions for children, many science centers are struggling to be relevant to an older, adult audience, while revising the economic model to remain sustainable and viable. Where does the money come from and how is it used to further the broad science education and awareness mission? This session, an extended conversation among the panelists and the audience, will explore and discuss opportunities and challenges and attempt to visualize the science center of the near future. Bibliography "America

Products & services

Similar companies nearby