Hi Carol, I would like to attend this meeting. It comes right after a workshop that NEH is doing on its Civil War program (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.). But I imagine the meeting rooms are easy enough to go from one to the other. Bob -- Robert G. Buss, Executive Director Hawai'i Council for the Humanities 3599 Wai'alae Avenue, Room 25 Honolulu, HI 96816 Phone: (808) 732-5402, Fax: (808) 732-5432 [log in to unmask], www.hihumanities.org On 10/26/11 5:12 AM, "Harsh, Carol" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Hi all, > > This past summer, the National Museum of Natural History approached SITES > about working with them to develop some science/humanities exhibitions for the > MoMS program. The idea is to seek significant funding through the National > Science Foundation to enable us to develop an extensive program of exhibits > that blend the sciences and the humanities and target small museums and nature > centers. For lack of a better name, we are calling this initiative ³Science > MoMS². > > Overlaying the humanities in this effort is critical. Public discourse and > ethical oversight about science issues is an important role that councils > often play. Natural science exhibits that show manıs place in nature and an > awareness of the world around us could be really engaging. We envision that > councils could partner with statewide natural history museums and even state > agencies like the Department of Fish and Wildlife to seek additional funding > for statewide tours. > > Science MoMS exhibitions could address the STEM (science, technology, > engineering and math) deficiencies in schools in many small communities across > the country. Standing outside traditional educational systems, we believe that > the Smithsonian and state humanities councils can play a vital role in > inspiring learning > > I have talked with directors from a few council to seek their guidance, and > received an enthusiastic response. We are convening a brainstorming session > at the Federationıs conference next week in St. Petersburg, on Thursday, > November 3 at 3:00 in the Plaza D room at the conference hotel. We would love > for any and all of you who may be going to the conference to join us. If you > are not planning to go to the conference please pass this information along to > others from your council who may like to attend this discussion. We will > explore some exhibit ideas, partnership arrangements, and even funding > possibilities. > > This is an exciting proposition that could broaden the reach of the MoMS > program and we want your input and insights so that we step off in the right > direction. > > Please let me know if you will be able to join us on November 3 so that we can > plan appropriately. > > Carol > > Carol G. Harsh > Director, Museum on Main Street > Smithsonian Institution, SITES > 202-633-5333 > 202-465-5267 (cell) > 202-633-5344 (fax) > >