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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Hi Kathy (and anyone else interested in Sustainability and Conservation Education),
We've been working on sustainability and conservation education programs for families, and have had some pretty interesting outcomes and learning experiences. The following may or may not fit with your idea for your session as its not explicitly connected to energy (if anyone else is interested in these topics, let me know).
PROGRAM GOALS:
The Rock Program at the California Academy of Sciences is focused on providing elementary school children, and their families access to quality science and sustainability education. To serve that mission, the Academy partners with local elementary schools to host a series of Family Nights at the Academy with multilingual programming (English, Spanish and Cantonese). These free events have the following goals:
1.) Connect families with fun learning opportunities outside of the classroom at the Family Night and Beyond
2.) Help families better identify with science and sustainability
3.) Promote pro-environmental decision-making by connecting families with the planet and local pro-environmental agencies (Public Utilities Commission, Friends of the Urban Forest, Environmental Defense Fund)
EVALUATION AND LEARNING FROM FAMILIES
Taking a step back from just the outcomes of programs, we've been focusing on dialing in on
.how to evaluate outcomes, and interests from families in the programs
.ways to build bridges between how, who and where they currently engage with environmental issues and the programs that we have/ are currently developing.
.methods include multilingual focus groups, interviews and surveys
CONNECTING BACK TO A PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY
We've then been using this information from our evaluation and have created a professional learning community of 25 different people across our institution that aim to fulfill the following goals:
.Develop a common understanding on current research and evaluation strategies in conservation and sustainability education.
.Prototype & collaborate with other informal educators in the development of a conservation activity.
.Reflect on, observe and evaluate your own teaching; and observe ways other educators teach.
.Nurture a learning community that includes a network of Bay Area educators dedicated to conservation. through having shared experiences and resources for designing activities in informal environments.
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFO
In 2012 I completed my M.S. Science Education for Free Choice Learning at Oregon State University. For my thesis I conducted a national study examining how different types of free-choice/informal science education institutions implement conservation education programs focused on influencing behavior change. There have been very few studies that examine the methods for how to most effectively accomplish behavior change goals; the last comprehensive study of educators in natural history settings was conducted over 20 years ago. The results of this study show that there is very little research or evaluation on effective behavior change programming however, there is a strong trend towards trying to implement such programs. Notions of what constitutes effective practice in the free-choice science education field are not cohesive though. Natural history museums, in particular, seem to hold varied views on this topic, whereas zoos and aquariums tend to have a more unified industry identity informing the programs they plan and implement. Science centers do not have a stated goal towards behavior change; however there are several that consistently include conservation education in their exhibits and programs.
Lindzy Bivings
Manager of Enhanced Museum Visits for Students
California Academy of Sciences
T: (415) 379-5188
F: (415) 379-5711
[log in to unmask]
www.calacademy.org/teachers/rockprogram
New! Family Science Blog
http://www.calacademy.org/teachers/families/
-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dana and Kathy Dawes
Sent: Monday, December 17, 2012 12:59 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: astc session on innovative outreach/sustainable housing/energy efficiency
ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************
I'm looking into the possibility of doing an ASTC session about innovative
outreach programs, particularly on the topics of "energy efficiency" and the
"science of sustainability" as they relate to reducing home energy use. Is
there anyone else out there working on a similar theme or on innovative
outreach who would like to join me in proposing a session?
Kathy Dawes
Educational Outreach Coordinator
Palouse Discovery Science Center
950 NE Nelson Ct.
Pullman, WA 99163
208-310-2922
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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.
The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.
To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
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