Skip to main content
COMMUNITY:
Project Descriptions

Astronomy from the Ground Up: Building Capacity in Smaller Informal Science Education Institutions

March 1, 2005 - August 31, 2010 | Professional Development, Conferences, and Networks
The Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) will develop and test a new model of informal science education professional development to help small museums increase the public's knowledge and interest in astronomy. The lead collaborators in addition to ASP are the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) and the Association of Science Technology Centers (ASTC). The project deliverables include 1) workshops for approximately 240 informal science education (ISE) practitioners in 180 small ISE institutions delivered both on-site and through distance learning 2) hands-on astronomy activity toolkits and 3) an on-going "community of practice" network. The project development team includes representatives from small ISE institutions (Randall Museum, CA; Lakeview Museum of Arts and Science, IL; Stamford Museum & Nature Center, CT) as well as others. This project has the potential for making a strategic impact on the ISE field with its research on the use of distance learning compared to on-site professional development workshops

Funders

NSF
Funding Program: ISE/AISL
Award Number: 0451933
Funding Amount: 2005603

TEAM MEMBERS

  • James Manning
    Principal Investigator
    Astronomical Society of the Pacific
  • Michael Bennett
    Former Principal Investigator
    Astronomical Society of the Pacific
  • Stephen Pompea
    Co-Principal Investigator
    National Optical Astronomy Observatory
  • 2014 11 06 wendyPollock sqOct2013
    Co-Principal Investigator
    Association of Science Technology Centers
  • 2014 06 02 SuzyLaughing2014
    Project Manager
    Astronomical Society of the Pacific
  • 2015 02 03 KHG CB
    Evaluator
    Institute for Learning Innovation
  • Discipline: Education and learning science | Space science
    Audience: General Public | Museum/ISE Professionals
    Environment Type: Professional Development, Conferences, and Networks | Professional Development and Workshops | Resource Centers and Networks

    If you would like to edit a resource, please email us to submit your request.