Apologies for cross postings



>The Natural History Museum, London is hosting a conference this April,
>Nature's Treasurehouses? which will discuss the contributions natural
>history collections make to society. One of the key themes is how natural
>history science education is carried out in museums and herbaria and what is
>the way forward.
>
>We have arranged some high profile speakers for the event, but discussion
>between speakers and with the audience is an important part of the
>conference. We are therefore extremely keen for educational specialists, and
>museum professionals to attend this agenda-setting conference.
>
>THE FUTURE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUMS: WILL IT BE
>REAL?
>Do natural history museums with their displayed collections still have a
>fundamental role in natural science education? Will the emergence of
>electronic imaging via integrated network systems eliminate much of the need
>for physical museum collections in the teaching of natural history? The
>contrary view is that there may be an increasing need for people to test
>scientific hypotheses for themselves against real objects from the natural
>world in a world in light of challenging new scientific advances. The
>education debate will focus on some of the theories of how we learn in light
>of the use of both collections of real objects and virtual electronic
>systems. There will be a chance to discuss how the revolution in IT may both
>challenge and invigorate natural science learning in a museum environment.
>
>The Education Speakers are;
>* Professor John Durant
>Assistant Director, The Science Museum, London
>* Dr Mary Alexander
>Director of the Museum Program, Maryland Historical Trust.
>* Dr Chris Fowler
>Manager BT Education Research Programme and Director of Future Learning
>Centre, Institute of Education, University of London.
>* Sir Harry Kroto. FRS
>Professor of Chemistry, University of  Sussex.
>* Mr Roy Hawkey. Head of Education
>The Natural History  Museum, London
>
>This session forms part of our conference Nature's Treasurehouses?, speakers
>in other session include Professor Richard Dawkins and Sir Robert May . The
>conference is part of a wider festival at The Natural History Museum,
>including an innovative collaboration with the Serpentine gallery and a BBC
>Natural History Film Festival.
>
>Details of Nature's Treasurehouses? including booking information can be
>found at the conference website;
>www.nhm.ac.uk/conference
>or contact me at the address below.
>
>Do let me know if I can be of further assistance.
>
>Yours sincerely,
>
>Dr Antony Weir
>What will be the role of natural history collections in the future?
>NATURE'S TREASUREHOUSES? 4 - 7 April 2000
>Visit the conference website at http://www.nhm.ac.uk/conference/
>
>The Natural History Museum,
>London SW7  5BD     UK
>[log in to unmask]
>Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 5816
>Fax: +44 (0)20 7942 5841
>http://www.nhm.ac.uk/science
>
>
>


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