Ocean Sciences for Rural Communities via Informal Science Education

海洋科学对公众来说很重要，因为近年来水作为一种资源的影响变得更加显著。作为加强在非正规环境中学习的总体战略的一部分，推进非正式STEM学习(AISL)计划为创新资源提供资金，供包括农村社区在内的各种环境使用。该项目的目标是通过在公园、停车场、社区集会以及当地图书馆等独特场所设置展览，教育农村社区和青年有关海洋科学的知识。当地图书馆工作人员和女童子军将协助调查人员将社区活动付诸实施。该项目由领导力联盟、罗格斯大学、夏威夷大学、阿什兰大学、探索学院、女童军组织及其附属机构、农村图书馆教育网络、当地博物馆和德克萨斯州水族馆合作完成。该项目将试验一种名为“Pop Up”的新展示风格，通过在公园等非传统场所快速轻松地设立展品来吸引社区的注意。主办方将邀请那些对海洋科学感兴趣的参观者参加当地图书馆关于海洋科学的更深入的讨论。这一更深层次的讨论被称为“向下钻”，科学家们将在科考船上对他们的研究活动发表评论。来自海底的岩芯将被用来教育与会者了解地球的历史。该项目场地的地点将包括服务不足的公民人口较多的农村社区。要调查的研究问题是：1.“弹出式”和“下钻”练习是否为STEM(科学、技术、工程和数学)学习创建了一种有效和可持续的模式？2.“弹出式/下钻”方法如何满足合作伙伴非正式科学教育机构，如图书馆和女童子军完成自己的使命的需要？3.这些课程对提高对海洋和地球科学、技术以及科学家/工程师的工作的认识和知识有什么影响？

Ocean science is important for the public to understand as the impact of water as a resource has become more significant in recent years. As part of its overall strategy to enhance learning in informal environments, the Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program funds innovative resources for use in a variety of settings including rural communities. This project's goals are to educate rural communities and youth about ocean science via setting up exhibits in unique venues such as parks, parking lots and at community gatherings as well as in local libraries. Local library staff and Girl Scouts will assist the investigators in operationalizing the community activities. The project is a collaboration between the Consortium for Leadership, Inc., Rutgers University, the University of Hawaii, Ashland University, the College of Exploration, the Girl Scout organization and some of its affiliates, the Rural Library Education Network, local museums, and the Texas State Aquarium.This project will experiment with a new style of presentation called "Pop up" which brings in exhibits that are rapidly and easily set up in unconventional venues such as parks to get the communities' attention. From among the visitors attending the "Pop up" sessions, the organizers will invite those who have shown interest to attend deeper discussions of ocean science at the local library. This deeper discussion, referred to as "Drill down", will involve scientists commenting from a research ship on their research activities. Cores from the ocean floor will be used to educate attendees about the history of the planet. Locations of the project venues will include rural communities that have a high population of underserved citizens. Research questions to be investigated are: 1. Do the "Pop up" and "Drill down" exercises create an effective and sustainable model for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) learning? 2. How does the "Pop up/Drill down" methodology meet the needs of partner informal science education institutions such as the libraries and Girl Scouts in fulfilling their own missions? 3. What is the impact of these sessions on increasing awareness and knowledge of ocean and earth science, technology, and the work of scientists/engineers?