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Project Descriptions

Maximizing Collective Impact Through Cross-Sector Partnerships: Planning a SENCER and NISE Net Collaboration

September 15, 2016 - August 31, 2017 | Professional Development, Conferences, and Networks, Informal/Formal Connections
The National Center for Science and Civic Engagement (NCSCE) will conduct a Collaborative Planning project to maximize the collective impact of two well-established national STEM learning networks, National Informal STEM Education Network (NISE Net) and Science Education for New Civic Engagements and Responsibilities (SENCER). Through a strategic collaboration that leverages their respective achievements, resources, and expertise, the combined networks can advance informal science education that engages and empowers citizens and their communities as they address the complex civic challenges. The project will conduct a strategic planning process to envision how to unify two networks to increase a durable and identifiable infrastructure for cross-sector collaboration focused on linking science and civic engagement. It is supported by the Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program funds research and innovative resources for use in a variety of settings, as a part of its overall strategy to enhance learning in informal environments. The project objective of the planning process is to create a new and expanded national infrastructure that will increase the capacity of science centers and other informal learning organizations to enhance the public's engagement with science through attention to civic issues, and access new partners, participants, and resources from higher education institutions. The project's core activity will be a three-stage planning process: Phase 1, an assessment of assets, resources, and regional complementarity of the networks, and the development and investigation of key research questions; Phase 2, a planning workshop involving 29 project leaders from both organizations and stakeholders from formal and informal science to identify and develop specific collaborative strategies; and Phase 3, an evaluation and dissemination of the planning results to the networks and the development of a new multi-year project to strengthen the national infrastructure for formal and informal STEM education.

Funders

NSF
Funding Program: AISL
Award Number: 1612376
Funding Amount: $149,987.00

TEAM MEMBERS

  • William Burns
    Principal Investigator
    SENCER
  • Larry Bell
    Co-Principal Investigator
    NISE Net
  • Eliza Reilly
    Co-Principal Investigator
  • 2014 10 06 Pmartin 08
    Co-Principal Investigator
  • Discipline: General STEM
    Audience: Administration/Leadership/Policymakers | Museum/ISE Professionals | Scientists
    Environment Type: Professional Development, Conferences, and Networks | Professional Development and Workshops | Resource Centers and Networks | Informal/Formal Connections | Higher Education Programs

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