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Science Centers: Catalysts for Dialogue and Inclusion

Explore the role of science centers in promoting social inclusion, democracy, and dialogue for a scientifically literate and informed society. Discover the values and importance of science in shaping our future.

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Science Centers: Catalysts for Dialogue and Inclusion

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  1. Science Centers as Places for Dialogue and InclusionSeptember 11, 2017 Hoda S. Elmikaty Deputy Director Library of Alexandria

  2. Nelson Mandela • Education is the most powerful weapon which can be used to change the world.

  3. Amidst the immense changes and challemges facing our region, science centers have a major responsibility. • Science centers are agents of change in society, especially when it comes to social inclusion, democracy and dialogue.

  4. Why Science?

  5. Why Science? • The pressing need for a scientifically literate populace is critical in facing the consequences of increasing population pressures, limited resources and environmental degradation. • Basic Science literacy coupled with scientific “ways of knowing”-provides citizens with the tools needed for rational debate and sound decision making based on scientific knowledge.

  6. Why Science? • Without this preparation , populations are left with the need to make decisions affecting the direction of their country or community on the basis of belief , personal or historical experience , self-interest, and information provided by the media (which often times is misguided and/or biased) .ICSU2011

  7. Why Science? • As has been noted , “ without a science –literate population , the outlook for a better world is not promising” .AAAs, 1985.

  8. The Method of Science

  9. The Method of Science OBSERVATION: Sense specific physical realities or events. HYPOTHESIS:Create a statement about the generalREVISED nature of the phenomenon observed.HYPOTHESIS PREDICTION:Forecast a future occurrencePREDICTION consistent with the hypotheses. EXPERIMENT:Carry out a test to see if predicted EXPERIMENT event occurs. If results DO If results DO NOT match prediction, match prediction RECYCLE hypothesis is supported.

  10. New generationFascination with Scienceto instillthe Values of Science

  11. The Values of Science • Truth: Any scientist who manufactures his data is ostracized forever from the scientific community.  No one can accept fabrication of data. In no other field of human activity is this commitment to truth so absolute.

  12. Values of Science • Honor: Scientists reject plagiarism. To give each his or her due, is essential, a sentiment well captured in Newton’s statement that … “if I have seen farther than most, it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants”.

  13. Values of Science • Teamwork has become essential in most fields of science.   And the essence of teamwork is to ensure that all the members of the team receive the recognition that they deserve. 

  14. Values of Science • Constructive subversivenessis built into the scientific enterprise, as a new generation of scientists makes its own contribution. Without that, there would be no scientific advancement. Our respect and admiration for Newton is not diminished by the contributions of Einstein. We can, and do, admire both.  

  15. Values of Science • This constant renewal and advancement of our scientific understanding is a feature of the scientific enterprise. It requires tolerant engagement with the contrarian view, accepting to arbitrate disputes by the rules of evidence and rationality.

  16. Values of Scinec • Science requires freedom: Freedom to enquire, to challenge, to think, to imagine the unimagined. It cannot function within the arbitrary limits of convention, nor can it flourish if it is forced to shy away from challenging the accepted. 

  17. Values of Science • The content of the scientific work is what is discussed, not the person who produced it, regardless of their nationality or the color of their skin or the god they choose to worship or the ethnic group they were born into or their gender. 

  18. Values of science • These are societal values worth defending, not just to promote the pursuit of science, but to have a better and more humane society. These are the central core of universal values that any truly modern society must possess. 

  19. “Enhancing science & technology capacity in the developing nations is truly a necessity and not a luxury” Interacademy Council Report 2004

  20. At a science Center Mostly visitors learn that -Humanity shares the same resources and that we have to join hands to ensure their sustainability -We have to talk to each other and work with each other to have a better future -We have to understand and respect each other’s differences and celebrate or diversity

  21. What should I do ????

  22. The Ten Commandments

  23. The Ten Commandments 1. Believe • Believe in the importance and value of what your doing. • It is not a job; It is a mission. • Develop the passion necessary for you to continue the long and interesting journey!

  24. The Ten Commandments 2. Plan Ahead • Take all the time you need to plan ahead. • It does not cost money. • Much easier and less costly to revise. • It saves time and fuel along the journey!

  25. The Ten Commandments 3. Formulate • Put everything in writing. • If you can write it, you can do it! • Vision, Mission, Budget, KPIs, Market surveys, promotional campaign,….

  26. The Ten Commandments 4. Engage/Motivate • You cannot do it alone. • Choose your team/partners. • Motivate them.

  27. The Ten Commandments 5. Invest in your Human Resources • They are the most important capital you have. • Train, train, train, train, train and be generous with it.

  28. The Ten Commandments 6. Evaluate • Feedback is crucial. • How can we do better? • What did we do wrong?

  29. The Ten Commandments 7. Be decisive • Correct whatever you see wrong. • Do not shy away from revising course. • Renovate.

  30. The Ten Commandments 8. Spread the message • Help others to learn. • Create a constituency. • Consolidate allies/partners/ supporters.

  31. The Ten Commandments 9. Do not cling or hold on • Always be ready to start all over again. • Staff may leave. • Ideas may change.

  32. The Ten Commandments 10. Enjoy If you cannot; leave!

  33. Effective Leadership Effective leaders motivate people inside and outside the science center to do whatever it takes to achieve it’s mission and vision

  34. Organizational Culture • An organization’s culture is the set of beliefs, values, norms, shared history, assumptions that make up its “personality” • An organization’s culture can promote success or lead to failure, depending on whether it is aligned with where the organization is headed and what it needs to do to get there

  35. Vision Statements • How do you see the science center in the future? • What should it be known for? What long-term impact will it have on its community, country, the world? • The vision is not more of the same, but a “stretch” to a higher level of accomplishment and standard of excellence

  36. Mission Statement • A good mission statement: • Communicates organizational values • Tells what is distinctive about it—how is it different from others • Is clear, focused, memorable, and inspirational The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing!

  37. Goals • To achieve the science center’s mission and vision, what key things must it accomplish over the next say 5 to 10 years? (These become its goals!) • Goals • Are grounded in the mission and vision. • Are as specific as possible • Are structured as measurable outcomes

  38. At the Outset • Define clearly • The purpose of your science center? • The vision ? • Functional priorities—public programs? education? other? • Who the audiences are ? • What the science center wants to communicate to them and why? • What it wants to offer and why?

  39. At the Outset Define clearly, • What staff it will need—knowledgeable, creative, passionate, diverse and representative of its audiences • What budget will the science center have? • What are the budget priorities for the near and long term?

  40. At the Outset • Learn everything you can about your audiences • Know what your stakeholders want and expect • Understand your external environment in depth • What opportunities and constraints does it present and how will the science center address them? • Believe in what the science center is to do and its ability to make a difference

  41. Only With Science will We Have A Future

  42. Millennium Development Goals Goal #1 • Eradicating Poverty & Hunger.

  43. Poverty is escalating

  44. Napoleon (1769 –1821) • Do you know what astonished me most in the world? The inability of force to create anything. In the long run the sword is always defeated by the spirit.

  45. Let us join hands to create a peaceful and prosperous tomorrow. IF not us…WHO? IF not now…WHEN?

  46. Thank You

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