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COMMUNITY:
Project Descriptions

Learning Science within Informal Environments

October 15, 2005 - September 30, 2009 | Media and Technology, Public Programs, Exhibitions, Informal/Formal Connections
The National Research Council, through its Board on Science Education, will carry out a synthesis study of informal science learning based on a workshop funded by a prior NSF planning grant. The intellectual merit of this project is based on the formation of a committee of experts representative of the diversity of the field who will engage in a fact-finding process on learning science in informal settings, deliberate about the evidence and produce a major report that will be published by the National Academies Press. The study will describe the status of knowledge in the field currently, articulate a common framework for the next generation of research on informal science learning and provide guidance to the community of practice. By presenting what we know about the characteristics of effective informal science learning environments across a range of outcome measures, the study will achieve broader impacts by assisting practitioners, policymakers and researchers in directing their efforts towards realizing the potential of informal science education for advancing public science literacy.

Funders

NSF
Funding Program: ISE/AISL
Award Number: 0545947
Funding Amount: 1376000

TEAM MEMBERS

  • Heidi Schweingruber
    Principal Investigator
    National Academy of Sciences
  • C. Jean Moon
    Former Principal Investigator
    National Academy of Sciences
  • Discipline: Education and learning science
    Audience: Museum/ISE Professionals | Evaluators
    Environment Type: Media and Technology | Public Programs | Exhibitions | Informal/Formal Connections

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