Science centers and museums fill a unique community role as
centers of learning, research, entertainment, and community
congregation. Beyond teaching scientific concepts, the
underlying motivation for all science center activities is
promoting the value of science and scientific thinking to the
general public. Science centers and museums face a number of
challenges in fulfilling this mission, not the least of which is
working to achieve this goal across cultures and worldviews.
This article will explore the particular challenges and
opportunities for science centers in working on a relationship
between the Western science paradigm and traditional knowledge
systems (TKS). As defined by the International Council for
Science, traditional knowledge systems are the “cumulative
bod[ies] of knowledge, know-how, practices, and representations
maintained and developed by peoples with extended histories of
interaction with the natural environment.” This particular
dialogue about negotiating worldviews is relevant to al