ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Mary Frances,
Thank you for asking this important question to which there are many
answers.
As part of the IMLS-funded VolTS project, we have been investigating
parnterships between science centers and scientists and engineers who wish
to engage in public education and outreach.
In our needs analysis, we found that most museums do not currently offer
advanced workshops or trainings or special resources for professionals.
It was stressed that museum staff devote an impressive amount of their time
to prepare them and often do a bit of hand-holding.
In our front-end evaluation, while some scientists and engineers are found
to be receptive to training, many prefer to work with museum educators in a
symbiotic mentor relationship, learning on-the-job, with both contributing
their strengths (Beryl alluded to this in her reply).
One interviewee stated that "they don't believe in training. Scientists have
never heard the words professional development. Personally as a scientist, I
don't know what that means. I've
been to some things called trainings or this or that, [and they're not
worthwhile]."
So, finding ways to work effectively in partnership and devoting staff time
are important complements to any PD program for training scientists to
interact with the public.
As some of the responses have indicated, there are (or have been) many
training programs involving science centers.
For example, the North Carolina Museum of Life and Science created "Sharing
Science with Children: Survival Guide for Scientists and Engineers" and has
experience with facilitating professional development of scientists
interested in engaging in public education (e.g., with scientists from the
EPA) and OMSI previously worked with Intel and the Northwest Scientists and
Engineers program.
Of course, organizations of scientists and engineers also do their own
training and I see that your inquiry is more generally about training
research scientists to interact with the public (without a specific emphasis
on working with science centers).
Formal (e.g., K-12) education and outreach appears to be the area which is
currently of greatest focus for these groups.
For instance, the IEEE and other professional societies train their members
to participate in programs targeted at K-12 educators and students.
Through NISENet, I have had the opportunity to work more closely with MRS
(Material Research Society).
Their efforts are indicative of the growing trend for professional
societies, academic research centers, government agencies, and corporations
to pay more formal attention to professional development around public
education and outreach (e.g., the next MRS Fall meeting includes an entire
symposium focused on Education - with an emphasis on public education - and,
conference sessions may be understood to be professional development
opportunities of a sort).
Also, as you might infer from the Exploratorium professional development
programs geared towards graduate students and postdocs, training needs and
opportunities are different between scientists in different stages in their
careers - and, some scientists are more interested than others in developing
themsleves as communicators with the public.
The posts pointing to training programs internationally are key as I have
found many good programs around the world, such as the STEMNET training of
thousands of Science Education Ambassadors in the UK.
There's more to share, and I am happy to share all that we have found.
As Wendy suggested, if you are interested in this topic, please read the
Sep/Oct ASTC Dimensions issue, join us next week for our ASTC Connect
session (a series starting with a focus on involving scientists in
exhibition development), and look for new information in the coming months
in the Scientists & Engineers section of TryScience.org and in NSDL Expert
Voices.
As a reflection on what I have learned, scientists respond better to
professional development which looks more like "in-service" PD (using
teacher training as an analogy) than "pre-service" PD.
Congratulations on starting your Portals to the Public Project,
Eric
_________________________________________
Eric Marshall, Ph.D.
Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Innovation
Director, TryScience.org and VolTS (Volunteers TryScience)
New York Hall of Science
47-01 111th Street
Queens, NY 11368 USA
+1(718)699-0005 x379
+1(718)699-1341 (fax)
+1(914)774-2676 (mobile)
[log in to unmask]
www.TryScience.org
-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mary Frances Davidson
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 5:11 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: PD Programs for Scientists and Communication
ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
****************************************************************************
*
Hello,
I was wondering if anyone has used or knows about Professional Development
programs for training research scientists to interact with the public. I am
particularly interested to hear about programs that involve face-to-face
interactions (if any such programs exist) OR programs that involve
communication of current research to the public.
Thanks!
-Mary Frances
Mary Frances Davidson
Portal to the Public Project Coordinator
Pacific Science Center
200 2nd Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109
phone: 206.269.5768
fax: 206.443.6600
Pacific Science Center is an independent, not-for-profit educational
institution that inspires lifelong interest in science, math and technology
by engaging diverse communities through interactive and innovative exhibits
and programs in every county of Washington state and beyond.
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