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The Science Integration
Institute (SII)
www.scienceintegration.org
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* What is it? *
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SII was founded in 1998 by a group of scientists and science educators
to support the application of science to the development of the
individual worldviews by which we guide our lives. SII fills a niche
in the scientific community that is analogous to that of many applied
research institutes, but with a very different end product. The
programs at most applied research labs use science as a tool to
produce new or improved technologies. The end products of work at
SII are insights from science packaged into forms that people can
readily incorporate into the process of developing meaningful and
realistic worldviews. Research is guided by the aim of looking for
what needs to be discovered to help in this effort.
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* Mission Statement *
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The mission of the Science Integration Institute is to conduct and
support research and educational activities which use the process
of science, and the insights gained about the universe by modern
science, as tools to aid individuals in constructing realistic and
meaningful views of their role in the universe.
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* Who is our audience? *
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* anyone who is searching for a way to see how our lives can be
meaningful that is consistent with what we know about the universe
from science
* scientists who are looking for a professional community that is
dedicated to scientific research that is targeted toward generating
insights likely to be relevant to personal worldviews
* science educators who would like assistance in presenting science
to their students in a way that stresses the importance of science
in developing a perspective on humanity's position and role in the
universe
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* Specific Activities *
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The programs and activities of SII fall under two general categories:
1) Research
In addition to conducting original "meaning-driven" research,
SII provides an atmosphere of support and community for scientists
to discuss and investigate what insights from science tell us about
human meaning. SII coordinates a discussion forum and publishes
a newsletter that describes the research of SII associates. In the
future, we plan to establish a research journal and a repeating
conference on science integration.
2) Public Education
The final products of work at SII are public outreach activities
designed to share scientific information in a form that that can
be integrated into individual worldviews.
Activities include:
- classes and workshops for individuals and groups
- lecture series
- classroom visits
- workshops and materials for science teachers
- "In the News" feature on the SII web site
- on-line newsletter
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* Related References *
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E. Dobb, "Without Earth there is no Heaven," Harper's,
February 1995, p.33.
T. Duncan, "Guest
Comment: Making physical science courses valuable to non-scientists,"
American Journal of Physics, May, 1997, p.365.
D. A. Rees, "Commentary:
Time for scientists to pay their dues," Nature, 20 May 1993,
p.203.
R. Schmitt, "Public
Support of Science: Searching for Harmony," Physics Today,
January, 1994, p.29.
R. Schmitt, et
al., "Support for Science: Rationales and Ratios," Physics
Today, December 1994, p.14.
For more information,
the web address for the Institute is: www.scienceintegration.org
and specific questions or suggestions can be sent to: info@scienceintegration.org.
Thank you for
your interest in our organization!SII is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
research and education organization. Contributions are tax-deductible
to the extent allowed by law.
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