The Burke Museum did good with their opening day festivities for their new squid exhibit. Geoff Arnold visited the public squid dissection in Seattle, and returned with photos. We should all do more of this: not just talk about science, but get out there and get our hands dirty with our fellow citizens and show them really cool stuff. It sounds like they got a large crowd, too, with enthusiastic kids.
Pharyngula
Evolution, development, and random biological ejaculations from a godless liberal
Perhaps but for those who do not know, The Burke kis anything BUT a science museum. Its is like an attic .. anthropology, paleontology, PacRim culture, indigenous culture, and dinosaurs.
SeattleJew
I was there, as promised. It was a close thing, dissecting that big Humboldt squid without shortening the noses of many future biologists.
Sorry I had to miss it. Glad they had a full house.
Yes, the Burke is a bit of am attic. Attics are wonderful places where much can be learned.
I went to the exhibit opening (after seeing your previous post) with my three-year-old daughter. I agree that the dissection was excellent science communication. The crowd was very large and enthusiastic. Unfortunately, the exhibit was far less interesting than the dissection, because it was almost entirely posters, with just a few squid bits in jars.
On a not-entirely-unrelated note there is a Greek festival in Seattle this weekend. I will have dinner there tonight, sampling the calamari since I have squid on the mind now.
Sounds like it was real science too. Not just a fireworks palooza. Awesome.
Right on! Simple science: Questions begging for answers, followed by, “Ok, let’s just go and take a look.”
Followed by a few answers, lots of dashed preconceptions, and MANY MORE questions in a gloriously exponential climb. All the views from ANYWHERE on the slopes of Mt. Knowledge are sweet.
I was horrifed every time I heard this event advertised on public radio: “with live squid dissection.”
No! Please don’t be dissecting live squid! Can someone put my mind at ease?