A shameless (but on-topic!) plug, but in I'm a Scientist, Get me out of Here!, we try to connect school students with real human scientists, and also let those students 'make their own stories' by asking the questions they want to and feeling they have a say in the event (as they vote for which scientist gets a grant of £500).
The event is on at the moment and feel free to explore the site for yourselves as a bit of Friday afternoon light relief. The questions so far do range from the sublime to the hilarious. A few of our favourites:-
Do different genres of music affect the brain differently or activate different parts of it?
http://brain.imascientist.org.uk/2010/03/do-different-genres-of-music-affect-the-brain-differently-or-activate-different-parts-of-it/
Do you think your finding on brain functions could be used in a bad way [i.e mind control]??
http://helium.imascientist.org.uk/2010/03/do-you-think-your-finding-on-brain-functions-could-be-used-in-a-bad-way-i-e-mind-control/
(to a nuclear physicist) 'do you like your job, is it like homer simpsons, a bit?'
http://lithium.imascientist.org.uk/2010/03/do-you-like-your-job-is-it-like-homer-simpsons/
have you ever regretted choosing a career in science or maths? and if so why? when?
http://hydrogen.imascientist.org.uk/2010/03/have-you-ever-regretted-choosing-a-career-in-science-or-maths-and-if-so-why-when/
Even highly intelligent organisms like humans do not choose the food they want because it is better for them, so is the "choice" of the chicken reliable?
http://hydrogen.imascientist.org.uk/2010/03/even-highly-intelligent-organisms-like-humans-do-not-choose-the-food-they-want-because-it-is-better-for-them-so-is-the/
On the last question, the PhD student concerned told us that this question from a GCSE class goes right to the heart of the big assumption in her PhD. 'I hope none of these students are in my viva!'
Have a good weekend everyone.
Best wishes,
Sophia
-----------------
Sophia Collins
Producer
I'm a Scientist
www.imascientist.org.uk
I'm a Councillor
www.bigvote.org.uk
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On Fri 19/03/10 15:29 , Ian Russell [log in to unmask] sent:
> I agree about the need for more personalisation in science museums and
> science centres: but not just by telling stories to the visitors about real
> people. The visitors themselves are real people. They need to be allowed
> and encouraged to discover their own stories, beat their own pathways and
> make their own connections.
> This was the essence of Frank (Exploratorium) Oppenheimer's
> paradigm-shifting, life-changing philosophy. He made a metaphorical
> comparison between delightful personal discoveries made during an
> exploratory walk in the woods, and the scheduled sights shown to people on
> a guided tour.
> Throughout my years as a science centre designer I have struggled with the
> creative tension between exploration and explanation. http://www.interactives.co.uk/hearts_exploration_explanation.ht
> m If I over-emphasise the 'scheduled sights', I leave too
> little freedom for personal discoveries. If I allow too much freedom for
> personal discoveries, I cannot show visitors the sights they really ought
> to see.
> It seems to me that the influence of Oppenheimer's philosophy is fading as
> modern science centres increasingly streamline their tour-schedules of
> knowledge and understanding, diverting walkers from mazy woodland paths
> onto buses on fast roads towards specific destinations.
> I recommend a visit to the London Science Museum's Launch Pad gallery to
> see how inspiring, enjoyable and popular a carefully constructed 'didactic
> wilderness' can be.
> Promoting public engagement with science
> through a contagious delight in phenomena
> *
> ian@in
> teractives.co.uk * http://www.interactives.co.uk*
> Give people facts and you feed their minds for an hour.
> Awaken curiosity and they feed their own minds for a lifetime.
> *
> Ian Russell (Twitter: ianrusselluk)
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: psci-com: on public engagement with science [PSCI-
> [log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ian GriffinSent: 19 March 2010 13:05
> To: PSCI-
> [log in to unmask]: [PSCI-COM] Engaging science
>
> I am fascinated by the discussion about GCSE Science and the points made
> recently by Francisco and Sarah with regard to 'humanising the scientific
> endeavour' with real people on TV and in films etc.If I may dare to extend the discussion somewhat I was very interested in
> the opinion piece which appeared in yesterday's New York Times about
> Science Museums and Science Centres
> http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/18/arts/artsspecial/18SCIENCE.ht
> ml?scp=14&sq=&st=nyt
> I had my own thoughts about this and blogged about it last year
>
> http://bit.ly/cDIPUa
> I would certainly welcome others opinions!
>
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