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resource research Public Programs
The aim of this review of the literature is to identify what we already know about the engagement of children aged under eight in makerspaces. Given the limited literature in the area, the review takes a broader look at makerspaces for older children where relevant. This is not a systematic review; its aim is not to offer an exhaustive account of all of the research conducted in the area. Rather, this narrative review provides an introduction to key aspects of research on makerspaces and enables the identification of themes dominant in the field, and those areas where more research is needed
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TEAM MEMBERS: Jackie Marsh Kristiina Kumpulainen Bobby Nisha Anca Velicu Alicia Blum-Ross David Hyatt Svanborg Jónsdóttir Rachael Levy Sabine Little George Marusteru Margrét Elísabet Ólafsdóttir Kjetil Sandvik Fiona Scott Klaus Thestrup Hans Christian Arnseth Kristín Dýrfjörð Alfredo Jornet Skúlína Hlíf Kjartansdóttir Kate Pahl Svava Pétursdóttir Gísli Thorsteinsson University of Sheffield
resource research Public Programs
This research investigates how eight undergraduate African American women in science, math, and engineering (SME) majors accessed cultural capital and informal science learning opportunities from preschool to college. It uses the multiple case study methodological approach and cultural capital as frameworks to better understand the participants’ opportunities to engage in informal science learning or free-choice learning. The article demonstrates that African American women have access to cultural capital and informal science learning inside and outside of home and school environments in P-16
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TEAM MEMBERS: Ezella McPherson
resource research Media and Technology
The National Academy of Sciences’ LabX program came into existence in 2017 with a directive to develop programming meant to engage with a young-adult (18-37 years old) target audience who are active decision-makers and whose actions impact current and future policies. While conducting preliminary research, the LabX staff and advisory board discovered that available research on young adults’ relationship with science was sadly lacking in detail, beyond obvious conclusions about high levels of interest in technology and social experiences. To fill these knowledge gaps, gain a deeper
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TEAM MEMBERS: Geoff Hunt
resource research Media and Technology
NOVA Wonders is a multi-platform media project from the producers of NOVA exploring the biggest questions on the frontiers of science. From the mysteries of astrophysics to the secrets of the body to the challenges of inventing technologies that could rival—and even surpass—the abilities of the human mind. With content delivered across broadcast, digital and social platforms, the project’s total video content was viewed approximately 17 million times, reaching a range of audiences. The centerpiece was a six-part PBS series which premiered on April 25, 2018, hosted by a team of young
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TEAM MEMBERS: Julia Cort Lisa Leombruni Heather Hodges Pamela Rosenstein
resource research Public Programs
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Exploratorium, the self-described "museum of science, art and human perception," in San Francisco, California and the 10th anniversary of the launching of the National Research Council/National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine report Learning Science in Informal Environments: People, Places and Pursuits. The moment offered me an opportunity to reflect on my own professional journey, which began at the Exploratorium, coincided with a growth spurt of field knowledge-building and has included experiences that inform how I
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TEAM MEMBERS: James Bell
resource research Professional Development, Conferences, and Networks
This report grew out of a workshop and follow-up session sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR). The two-day workshop and subsequent meeting sought to develop and validate evaluation practices to assess the value of NSF's investment in broadening participation across all directorates and programs. Invited participants included NSF grantees, professional evaluators, and the policy community (which included representatives from Congress, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), NSF staff, and staff from other federal agencies).
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TEAM MEMBERS: Fitzgerald Bramwell Patricia Campbell Beatriz Chu Clewell Darnella Davis Norman Fortenberry Antonio Garcia Donna Nelson Adam Stoll Veronica Thomas
resource research Public Programs
By first recognizing the valuable social and scientific practices taking place within families as they learn science together across multiple, everyday settings, this dissertation addresses questions of how to design and scaffold activities that build and expand on those practices to foster a deep understanding of science, and how the aesthetic experience of learning science builds connections across educational settings. Families were invited to visit a natural history museum, an aquarium, and a place or activity of the family’s choice that they associated with science learning. Some families
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TEAM MEMBERS: Suzanne Perin
resource research Public Programs
There is growing evidence that science capital (science-related forms of social and cultural capital) and family habitus (dispositions for science) influence STEM career decisions by youth. This study presents reliability and validity evidence for a survey of factors that influence career aspirations in science. Psychometric properties of the NextGen Scientist Survey were evaluated with 889 youth in grades 6–8. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) found four factors (Science Expectancy Value, Science Experiences, Future Science Task Value, and Family Science Achievement Values). Using
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TEAM MEMBERS: M. Gail Jones Megan Ennes Drew Weedfall Katherine Chesnutt Emily Cayton
resource research Media and Technology
In 2017, PBS NewsHour produced one of their most complex transmedia series to date. #AmericaAddicted, which focused on the opioid crisis facing communities around the U.S., included 14 broadcast reports, 10 articles on the NewsHour site, four livestreams, three Twitter chats, and more than 200 associated videos and posts on over half a dozen platforms. The different reports take a wide range of perspectives and focus on different aspects of this crisis. Each report is embedded in dense networks of content, with a variety of entry points for audience members, that tell a single overarching
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TEAM MEMBERS: John Fraser Jena Barchas-Lichtenstein John Voiklis Uduak Grace Thomas Nicole LaMarca Kathryn Nock Kate Flinner Joseph de la Torre Dwyer Patti Parson
resource research Media and Technology
In October 2017, the PBS NewsHour team produced a week and a half of opioid-related content, including several online explainers, which presented the opportunity for a natural experiment for the Experiments in Transmedia project. Knology (formerly New Knowledge Organization Ltd.) conducted a two-wave research study to advance understanding of the youth audience’s knowledge and news consumption on the topic. The first wave of the study, conducted in September 2017, provides a baseline. The content aired in October 2017, and the second wave of the study, conducted in November 2017, asked a
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resource research Public Programs
Museum administrators need measurements to prove their museum’s value, to advocate for their institutions, and to improve their performance. The purpose of the two-year Assessing Museum Impact (AMI) pilot research project was to explore in practice the theory that the use of data can help museums improve their impact (effectiveness) and performance (efficiency). The project was designed to assist six mid- sized New England museums to select data using the PIID Sequence and then to use that data strategically. The participants reported positive impacts on their management culture and actionable
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TEAM MEMBERS: John W. Jacobsen Laura Roberts David Ellis George Hein Lynn Baum
resource evaluation Professional Development, Conferences, and Networks
The September 6 -7 COMPASS Conference held at the Exploratorium had 19 speakers and 80 attendees. The conference purpose was to take a focused look at indoor location aware mobile (ILAM) technology and how it was used in science centers and other museums. The three primary project goals were: 1) Form an integrated vision by consolidating expertise from disparate disciplines connected to indoor location aware mobile (ILAM) tech development; 2) transform visitor mobile tools going beyond basic digital content to more innovative forms of interaction and personalization; and, 3) open
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