Broad use of the Excellent Judges Framework inside institutions, and advocacy of visitor-centered goals by exhibition professionals, just might make all of our jobs a bit easier—and the products of our efforts more effective—in the future. Beverly Serrell. 2006 We’re over ten years into the future envisioned by Beverly Serrell, one of the most respected…
As many readers know I was in India from mid-July to early August this year, teaching a museum studies class for the National Council of Science Museums masters program in Kolkata. My co-teacher Karen Lee of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and I also had a chance to travel north to Dehradun and Mussoori…
Today, museums must become agents of change and development. Kumar Science Museums have a responsibility to foster an environment that encourages and accepts religious, cultural, physical, and experiential differences. Seetha In my last post we met students who spoke about their motivations for becoming science museum professionals. In this post we’ll hear from the students…
I want to “be a part of place that doesn’t just spread knowledge but pulls the string of science cord in everyone.” Itisha Once again my colleague Karen Lee of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and I are teaching in the MT in Science Communication program for the National Council of Science…
Almost 27 years ago, 42 tons of the poisonous methyl isocyanate gas escaped from the American pesticide factory Union Carbide in Bhopal. It killed about 4,00 people in the first few days, and eventually left over 14,000 dead. It has been called the world’s worst industrial disaster, and residents say that even today, more than…
Over the past few years I have posted periodically from Kolkata, Inda, where colleague Karen Lee and I teach a course as part of an MS program in science communication for science museum professionals. The organization that sponsors our teaching as well as the science communications MS is the National Council of Science…
Here’s my second post from Kolkata, India, featuring the observations of National Council of Science Museums students–some staff and some Fellows–on the challenges of science museums in India today. Notice that many of the challenges are faced by science museums everywhere. Back row, L to R: Anuj and Bikash; Front row, L to R: Neelu,…
“Science learning in non-formal setting” catches my ear like anything. Subhajit What I love to do is to become surprised and curious. Rajat I want to eradicate that problem which I faced in childhood, not understanding science properly from merely school education and this is the place where I can best fulfill my mission. Subhalaksmi…
I’ll be at the annual conference of the American Alliance of Museums in Baltimore, MD from May 19 through 22. If you are attending, please say hello, especially if we haven’t met before. If you are a regular reader of this blog you may be interested in a couple of sessions that I’ll be chairing:…
My recent silence on this page has been due in large part to my travels and teaching in India during the month of July, and the attendant follow-up. As with my past visits in 2009 and 2011, the experience was exhilarating, and as much a time for learning as for teaching. A short video gives the…