same time engaging researchers in meaningful and informed discussions with the public around the societal, ethical, economic and other important implications of current science, technology and engineering.” Troy Livingston, Executive Officer, Thinkery, Austin, TX – This type of program is different from many other museum programs because it seeks to encourage participants not just to think about science, technology, and engineering, but to bring their life experiences to the conversation. To achieve this, it encourages conversations that can help museum guests think about their own values, better understand other peoples’ viewpoints, recognize the expertise they have, and increase their confidence in contributing to the broader conversation about shaping the future. Forum Goals Overarching Goal: To convene informed multi-directional conversations among everyday citizens, stakeholders, scientists, and sometimes policymakers, about questions related to emerging technologies where both science and societal issues play a central role. Sub-goals for participants include: Providing various publics with the opportunity to share their perspectives and expertise with scientists and policy-makers who are interested in getting public input to inform their work. Strengthening publics' and scientists’ familiarity with, and understanding of, diverse points of view related to applications of current science, technology, and engineering. Increasing the participants’ confidence in making decisions and participating in public discourse about technologies that raise complex societal issues, by giving them practice in considering different perspectives and sources of information in a deliberative problem-solving environment. Learning about an emerging technology and its potential societal impacts. for institutions include: Attracting and engaging adult audiences in in-depth learning experiences. Increasing informal science educators’ knowledge, skill, and interest in developing and conducting programs that engage the public in conversation about societal issues raised by new and emerging technologies. Providing an important step toward defining a new role for the museum in the community, as a neutral place to hold conversations on controversial or unresolved societal issues related to science and technology. Forum Format Forum programs can take a variety of formats that engage participants for a few minutes or all day, but the most common format is a one- to two-hour program involving variations of the following four steps:
same time engaging researchers in meaningful and informed discussions with the public around the societal, ethical, economic and other important implications of current science, technology and engineering.” – Troy Livingston, Executive Officer, Thinkery, Austin, TX This type of program is different from many other museum programs because it seeks to encourage participants not just to think about science, technology, and engineering, but to bring their life experiences to the conversation. To achieve this, it encourages conversations that can help museum guests think about their own values, better understand other peoples’ viewpoints, recognize the expertise they have, and increase their confidence in contributing to the broader conversation about shaping the future. Forum Goals Overarching Goal: To convene informed multi-directional conversations among everyday citizens, stakeholders, scientists, and sometimes policymakers, about questions related to emerging technologies where both science and societal issues play a central role. Sub-goals for participants include: Providing various publics with the opportunity to share their perspectives and expertise with scientists and policy-makers who are interested in getting public input to inform their work. Strengthening publics' and scientists’ familiarity with, and understanding of, diverse points of view related to applications of current science, technology, and engineering. Increasing the participants’ confidence in making decisions and participating in public discourse about technologies that raise complex societal issues, by giving them practice in considering different perspectives and sources of information in a deliberative problem-solving environment. Learning about an emerging technology and its potential societal impacts. for institutions include: Attracting and engaging adult audiences in in-depth learning experiences. Increasing informal science educators’ knowledge, skill, and interest in developing and conducting programs that engage the public in conversation about societal issues raised by new and emerging technologies. Providing an important step toward defining a new role for the museum in the community, as a neutral place to hold conversations on controversial or unresolved societal issues related to science and technology. Forum Format Forum programs can take a variety of formats that engage participants for a few minutes or all day, but the most common format is a one- to two-hour program involving variations of the following four steps:
BwB_Forums_Manual_final_0.docx