Center for Science News

CNN Dismantles Science, Space, Environment and Technology

parkviewer — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:42:00 +0000

As reported by TVNewser, CNN is cutting its entire reporting staff in Atlanta that cover Science, Technology, Space and the Environment.

CNN spokesperson Christa Robinson tells TVNewser the unit is being shuttered as the network integrates science, environment and technology reporting into the general editorial structure. “Now that the bulk of our environmental coverage is offered through the Planet in Peril franchise, which is part of the AC360 program, there is no need for a separate unit,” Robinson says.

The cuts include veteran reporter Miles O’Brian who joined CNN in April of 1992. Statement from Miles O’Brian:

“In television news, a nearly 17-year stint at one shop is more than just a good run – it is an epoch. I can honestly say I have loved every minute of my time at CNN (well maybe not the 2:45 AM alarm bell when I was anchoring American Morning). It has been my privilege to be surrounded by the most talented, dedicated and creative people in the business. Collaborating with them – sharing many great adventures – is what I will miss the most. But I leave with great memories and great friendships intact. I see a lot of exciting opportunities – and I look forward to exploring what is on the horizon – which, after all, has been my mission at CNN all these years.”

Read entire article from TVNewser.

Majority of Visitors Do Not Feel Museum Staff Care

parkviewer — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:25:49 +0000

A recent study published by Museum Audience Insight looks at why almost 90% of visitors feel that staff does not really care about visitors. One visitor went as far to comment:

“I would get rid of the majority of the staff and replace them with energetic, well-informed individuals with an open creative mind and the ability to focus on the needs of the customer (the general public) and its changing face.” In other words, this visitor’s main museum fantasy is a caring staff.

Maybe even more surprising is the expectation among core visitors that expect to feel this way. There is a great deal Science Centers can learn from the retail industry.

when asked, “Is there anything where this organization falls short in meeting your needs (and your family’s)?” only 2% of respondents indicated that they “wished the staff cared more.” Two percent! What this tells us is that our Core Visitors don’t walk in the door expecting that museum staff members should care about them.

Most organizations will acknowledge there is room to improve but clearly Science Centers and other cultural institutions have a alarming problem – an organization that does not value its base of support will soon find it has no base of support.

Is there a solution?

A few Science Centers are starting to look to the customer-centric retail market for solutions. Customerville, a real-time customer feedback and engagement service has recently signed on several cultural institutions including a nationally recognized science center as a customer.

Customerville measures customer satisfaction in real time at the unit level, which means you can spot changes in service levels before they impact sales numbers (or in this case survey results). Our solutions, tailored to the needs of mid-sized operators, provide the information in the right way to the right people, resulting in dramatically improved service levels and greater sales through customer loyalty.

In addition to Customerville there are many feedback and communication tools that can help Science Centers reverse this trend.

Read the entire article

Center for Science News is Live

parkviewer — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 15:00:38 +0000

Withe little fanfare a web site and blog went live to begin communicating the progress of the Center for Science initiative. There are already dozens of people and organizations involved with the Center for Science or one of the many content channels being developed – but the project is still in “quite” mode through the end of the year.

The Center for Science team would like to give special thanks to the Saint Louis Science Center for the leadership and support they continue to provide.

The Toronto Declaration

parkviewer — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:33:32 +0000

Download a PDF of the Toronto Declaration:
Single-page, decorative version or two-page, large print
Add your voice in support of the Toronto Declaration

Leaders from science centres and museums around the world met in Toronto, Ontario, Canada from June 14-19, 2008 for the Fifth Science Centre World Congress. 400 delegates from 51 countries participated, continuing the dialogue from previous gatherings in Finland (1996), India (1999), Australia (2002) and Brazil (2005).

Each year, 290,000,000 citizens actively participate in the exhibitions, programs, events and outreach initiatives organized by 2,400 science centres worldwide(1). Science centres stimulate curiosity and develop enquiring minds. They change people’s lives, influencing their attitudes and thinking. Research shows that science centres demystify science, conveying its beauty, showing its necessity and making it accessible to the general public. They foster positive attitudes towards science, help people to appreciate the context of scientific advances and understand how science affects their lives.

In 2008, science literacy is as important as other forms of literacy and numeracy. It is also a powerful tool for social inclusion. Science centres have relevance to all sectors of the population and have become important meeting places for science and society. They operate across geographical, economic, political, religious and cultural boundaries. They impact the well-being, education, achievement and skills of current and future generations. They are safe places for difficult conversations.

Around the world today, science centres:

are highly-visible and trusted hubs of activity, dialogue and discourse about science and technology
support the skills needed for effective problem-solving, creativity, innovation, critical thinking and decision-making, therefore enhancing lifelong learning of science and technology
are important resources for the formal education system and contribute to strengthening the knowledge bases of their respective societies
influence the motivation of students, the learning process and their career choices
empower teachers, introducing them to more effective ways of teaching science, mathematics and technology
create important platforms for the increasing number of virtual visitors engaging with science – and with each other – using on-line and digital technologies
influence research and museology related to science communication, education and engagement
present global knowledge of science and technology within the local reality
are trusted places of inclusion and equity where the public can actively engage with critical issues which affect society
form strategic partnerships to help address important local, national and global challenges

At the Fifth Science Centre World Congress, delegates shared expertise and developed common agendas for action. A new era of global cooperation respecting local cultures is needed if we are to successfully live on a planet with diminishing resources and significant environmental challenges. Science centres can be a powerful force for good. Children who attend our science centres are growing up in a rapidly changing world and can become critical “agents of change” so that everyone can have a better future. Teens and university students who participate in science centre programs are tomorrow’s leaders and decision makers. Adults who visit our centres and get involved re-engage with science and become better positioned to understand the context of scientific discoveries and contribute to dialogue on topics such as climate change, human health, the need for renewable energies, water shortages and HIV/AIDS.

We, the participants in the Fifth Science Centre World Congress, believe that science is an important tool for a better life on our planet.

We advocate that all citizens should have access to a science centre or its services in their own region. We will use our collective expertise and experience in helping to expand the activities of our sector to places and communities where science centres are needed and wanted but not yet established.

We commit to work together to overcome cultural, physical, social, economic and geographic barriers to engage and connect people through science.

We will actively seek out issues related to science and society where the voices of citizens should be heard and ensure that dialogue occurs.

We will work together to identify how science centres can contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Goals.

We will search for funding and mechanisms to create a better future for all through global engagement with issues of local, national and global relevance, including environmental awareness, science education and innovation.
At the Sixth Science Centre World Congress, to be held in Cape Town, South Africa in 2011, we shall assess the extent to which we have, as individual institutions and collectively, moved forward on the goals established here.

Fifth Science Centre World Congress
June 19, 2008

Toronto Declaration Endorsed By:
ASPAC – Asia Pacific Network of Science and Technology Centres
ASTC – Association of Science-Technology Centers
Chinese Association of Natural Science Museums
ECSITE – European Network of Science Centers and Museums
NSCMIN – National Council of Science Museums India
RedPop – Network for the Popularization of Science and Technology in Latin America and the Caribbean
SAASTEC – Southern Africa Association of Science and Technology Centres

(1) data collected in 2008 by regional networks around the world