Children's, General, Science

We introduce our museum by saying, Please touch.

Touching is still, it seems, an incompatible idea for many people in a museum setting. We enjoy watching faces when orienting visitors at the front desk.

Let me tell you our rules, I say, speaking directly to the children in the group.

Parents usually interject a serious-- now listen!

Then I say, Our first rule is please touch.

Faces light up--of both adults and children. It s as if everyone heaves a sigh, Ah, this isn't going to be so bad after all.