>
> Dear Colleagues and friends :
> I am a Canadian Commonwealth Fellow currently completing my Masters in
> Museum Studies at the University of Toronto. My research paper (under the
> supervision of Dr.J.Lynne Teather & Dr.Jon C.Barlow)focuses on the
> changing nature of science and technology exhibits.
>
> >From repositories that held the"fruits" of industrial revolution as an
> aftermath of Trade Expositions, science exhibits have moved from static
> scale models, to working models to interactive fundamental and applied
> science exhibits that promote cognitive learning, to institutions that
> are increasingly taking up more challenging and reflective themes. They
> have realised the significance of presenting science and technology
> within the context of the realities of the socio-political environment
> over the oft-followed state of sterile academic isolation.
>
> These exhibits may be crystalizing into what I prefer to call the FIFTH
> GENERATION - the new breed of contemporary issues being tackled on the
> museum floor. Pollution, Global Warming, Bio-Technology vs.Biological
> Colonialism (a la Dunkel Draft !!), Alternative sources of Energy,
> Mankind in Space - a 21st Century Perspective, ON-GOING FUTURE
> SHOCKS,etc.etc. are some thought provoking areas which might form
> interesting subjects of exhibit development.
>
> Often the distinction between science and humanities blurs to the extent
> of bringing to life, interesting discussions on the very mandate of
> museums catering to inter-disciplnary exhibitions. As a natural
> progression, the basic approach ogf museums (which follow the convention
> of letting something become a part of history, before it takes the form
> of gallery display) could even be changing to institutions that might
> promote preventive/contemplative/speculative trains of thought, peeping
> into the future, forecasting and weighing the pros and cons of a
> scientific and technological trend.
>
> I WOULD SOLICIT YOUR BRIEF COMMENTS IN THIS REGARD WHICH WOULD BE DULY
> ACKNOWLEDGED IN THIS PAPER. I have received scores of interesting
> responses from professionals from several countries.
> Thanking you,
> Sincerely,
> GEORGE JACOB,Telefax: 416 232 0821 , 6 VELMA DRIVE, ETOBICOKE, ON.M8z2N3
> CANADA (Museum Studies Program, University of Toronto)
>