Ocean Sciences for Rural Communities via Informal Science Education

海洋科学对于公众了解水作为一种资源的影响是很重要的，因为近年来水资源的影响变得越来越重要。作为其加强非正式环境中学习的整体战略的一部分，推进非正式STEM学习（AISL）计划为包括农村社区在内的各种环境中使用的创新资源提供资金。该项目的目标是通过在公园、停车场和社区集会以及当地图书馆等独特场所举办展览，教育农村社区和青年了解海洋科学。当地图书馆工作人员和女童子军将协助调查员开展社群活动。该项目是领导联盟公司，罗格斯大学、夏威夷大学、阿什兰大学、探索学院、女童子军组织及其一些附属机构、农村图书馆教育网络、当地博物馆和得克萨斯州水族馆。该项目将试验一种名为“弹出式”的新的展示风格，这种风格带来的展品可以快速轻松地在公园等非传统场所设置，以引起社区的注意。在参加“弹出式”会议的游客中，组织者将邀请那些对海洋科学感兴趣的人参加当地图书馆的深入讨论。 这一更深入的讨论被称为“深入”，将涉及科学家从研究船上对其研究活动的评论。来自海底的岩芯将被用来教育与会者关于地球的历史。项目地点将包括拥有大量未得到充分服务的公民的农村社区。研究的问题是：1。“弹出”和“向下钻取”练习是否为STEM（科学、技术、工程和数学）学习创造了一个有效和可持续的模式？2.“向上/向下”方法如何满足图书馆和女童子军等非正式科学教育机构伙伴在履行其自身使命方面的需求？3.这些会议对提高对海洋和地球科学、技术和科学家/工程师工作的认识和了解有何影响？

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?