> > 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) >