ABSTRACT
The author advocates for the unique ability of science museums to educate visitors in socio-science and technology issues that influence policy, and also discusses the potential pitfalls museums face if programs step beyond the foundational science of subjective social issues, or more hazardously, mingle with politics. He analyzes three approaches open to museums navigating these territories, with examples of their exploratory implementation at the Museum of Science, Boston, ultimately concluding that the museum field should explore all three areas in tandem with the social science community. These three approaches—1) providing social science context for science issues; 2) becoming forums for dialog and debate; and 3) providing mechanisms for public views to be shared with scientists and policy makers—differ from the individual-based informal education ideals with which Bell and many museum professionals began their careers, reflecting the increasingly global nature of citizenry that museums may help to nurture.
