Science Centers Found to Inspire Engagement with STEM

A national study, publicly released earlier this month, found that visiting science centers is the only type of science learning experience of those studied that proved to inspire youth and adult engagement in STEM. In fact, the study finds that for each additional visit to a science center, youth and adult interest in science and technology doubles.

The results from this study (an overview of which is provided here) underscore the need for greater support of the informal, free-choice, hands-on learning experiences that science centers and museums are uniquely positioned to offer.

The Arizona Science Center in Phoenix, The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, and the California Science Center in Los Angeles commissioned the first-of-its kind study, which surveyed 4,500 youth and adults across the three cities.