Parallel Session Schedule

C08 - Panel
Science Trucks and Vans: Effective Tools for Outreach?
Social Responsibility and Science Centres
11:00 in Room 206D

How can science centers expand their audiences? What new models are emerging to engage offsite audiences? Many science centers, in their endeavours to engage with their communities, are taking programs to where their communities live. Some communities rarely, if ever, visit a science center due to their geographic isolation. Lower socio-economic communities, including those close to the science center, may experience a different “divide” due to their inability to afford transport and entry costs. Some science centers are taking truck and van programs to these communities to overcome “divides” such as these, engaging audiences in schools and communities that would not normally visit the science center building. How effective, in operational and impact terms, are these outreach programs in different parts of the world?

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C09 - Panel
The Role of Science Shows
Social Responsibility and Science Centres
11:00 in Room 206B

In this panel the presenters will examine the evolution of the science show, its relevance for various audiences and its importance in the developing world. The presenters will also provide examples of demonstrations from science shows. Research into the impact of shows will be examined and ways to collaborate will be canvassed. The panel will draw upon their experience as show writers and presenters for a variety of audiences that includes those in rural and urban centres in three countries. Special attention will be given to the disadvantaged environment of a developing country where resources are very limited. Cross-cultural and multicultural issues will be considered. The importance of intellectual property with respect to show scripts will be debated and recent European initiatives to share such scripts will be described and discussed.

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C10 - Panel
From Science and Society to Science in Society
Social Responsibility and Science Centres
11:00 in Room 203CD

From the perspectives of marketing and communications, this session explores the issues, strategies and benefits of strategically positioning science centres as socially relevant institutions. Liberty Science Center, la Cité des sciences et de l'industrie, the Ontario Science Centre, and Petrosains will each present their achievements and aspirations. The accent will be on how they draw media attention, engage educators and students, and impact the lay public by communicating scientific topics that are inextricably linked with living and working in an increasingly complex global society. Traditionally, science centers have relied on exhibitions to project their stance on science-and-society issues. Going forward, and in the form of a brand, science centers need to actively proclaim their science-in-society approach. Considerations ranging from public relations tactics, to evaluation of outreach programs, to ascertaining the impact of exhibitions will be featured in a roundtable format.

E06 - Panel
Earth Issues: Urgency for Awareness: Water
Living On, Changing and Sustaining Planet Earth: The Role of Science
11:00 in Room 104C

We live on a planet that is cover in water and yet more than 1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water.  With the world’s increasing population and climate change’s predicted impacts on precipitation and glaciers, this problem will only get worse.  Although each region will have its own local story, the lack of water for drinking and agriculture is a global problem.  Four science centers will present their approaches to educating the public about this most precious resource.

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E07 - Panel
Education for Sustainability: Lessons from Aquariums, Museums, and Zoos
Living On, Changing and Sustaining Planet Earth: The Role of Science
11:00 in Room 206E

People all over the world are coming to realize that human activities are jeopardizing the continuity of life itself. The sustainability of life has emerged as a leading topic of discussion and concern. Science centers are uniquely positioned to discuss the science of environmental problems and proposed solutions. Science centers can and should use their deeply rooted connections and stature within their communities to have an impact in this vital public discussion about life and its sustainability. Panelists from a variety of informal science institutions with wide ranging experience and leadership in sustainability education will critically discuss their green programs, exhibits, and buildings. How important is the role of vision and leadership within institutions in creating and sustaining green programs? Does sustainability education attract funders? What is the level of visitor and media interest in sustainability? How does one evaluation the impact of green programming and exhibits?

What are in the minds of the persons that have taken up the job of preparing a new science centres to be opened up in the near future? What are the the issues that they are addressing, and what are their proposed solutions? These are science centres in the future, but must be completed with the use of technologies that are already on hand. New science centres that will be covered in the presentation include: Macao Science Centre, a 23,000 sq. m building designed by I.M. Pei to be completed in 2009; Miami Science Museum, a 20,000 sq. m building in rejuvenated downtown Miami, Florida to be completed in 2012; Espacio Ciencia in Uruguay participating in a big project to develop a National Science Museum, a 10,000 sq.m building to be completed in 2010; China Science & Technology Museum, an expansion and total reconstruction project in a completely new site in the Olympic Green and others. The presentation will hopefully be shedding light onto those that are planning science centres in the more distant future.

Museum directors and senior staff will discuss and explore how different business models and balances of revenue streams (public and private support, visitor and customer revenues from branded programs, ancillary income, etc.) affect program, constituencies served and public expectations. Panelists will present an overview of how operating revenue streams shape their museum.

This knowledge of funding sources can help you guide planning for the future by informing which revenue and audience segments to target. An open discussion and Q&A will engage audience participants in sharing examples at their institutions. The session will begin with a brief overview of science centers by funding category and region, derived from the Association of Science-Technology Centers 2006/2007 ASTC Sourcebook of Statistics and Analysis, Copyright © Association of Science-Technology Centers, Washington, DC, www.astc.org.