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COMMUNITY:
Project Descriptions

The National SERIES Project

July 15, 1991 - June 30, 1997 | Public Programs
A three-year project, Science Experiences and Resources for Informal Education Settings (SERIES), involves collaboration between the 4-H Youth Development Program, practicing scientists, science education centers, and community service agencies to provide community-based science experiences for youth. Goals for national dissemination of the SERIES project are: 1) Increase the quality and quantity of science experiences for youth as leaders and as learners; 2) For youth to actively experience how science concepts and processes relate to their everyday lives; 3) Provide opportunities for youth to take positive leadership roles in their homes and communities; and 4) Provide opportunities for youth to investigate educational and career possibilities in science and technology through a scientist mentor relationship. SERIES builds upon the materials, and instructional/coaching model successfully developed and tested during the Califronia SERIES Project. National dissemination by 4-H assures SERIES availability to the 5,100,000 youth currently enrolled in 4-H. Expected outcomes of SERIES are: 1) Refine and produce final versions in English and Spanish of four SERIES community service science units; 2) Develop two new units; 3) Development of an "inquiry coaching" module for adult volunteers; 4) Develop and asses apprentice-like mentoring experiences for SERIES teens to work directly with scientists; and 5) Establish four SERIES regional dissemination centers, working collaboratively with 4-H, science centers and other youth serving agencies to provide national dissemination of the SERIES program model to 28 states.

Funders

NSF
Funding Program: ISE/AISL
Award Number: 9150153
Funding Amount: 698603

TEAM MEMBERS

  • Richard Ponzio
    Principal Investigator
    University of California-Berkeley
  • Laurel Dean
    Co-Principal Investigator
    4-H Youth Development Program
  • Herbert Thier
    Co-Principal Investigator
    University of California-Berkeley
  • Discipline: General STEM | Nature of science
    Audience: Elementary School Children (6-10) | Middle School Children (11-13) | Youth/Teen (up to 17) | Adults | Museum/ISE Professionals | Scientists
    Environment Type: Public Programs | Community Outreach Programs
    Access and Inclusion: Ethnic/Racial | Hispanic/Latinx Communities | English Language Learners

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