Ocean Sciences for Rural Communities via Informal Science Education

近年来，随着水作为一种资源的影响变得越来越大，海洋科学对公众来说非常重要。作为加强非正式环境学习总体战略的一部分，“推进非正式STEM学习”（AISL）项目为创新资源提供资金，用于包括农村社区在内的各种环境。该项目的目标是通过在公园、停车场、社区聚会和当地图书馆等独特场所举办展览，向农村社区和青年宣传海洋科学。当地图书馆工作人员和女童子军将协助调查人员开展社区活动。该项目是由领导力联盟、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、当地博物馆和德克萨斯州水族馆合作完成的。该项目将尝试一种名为“Pop - up”的新型展示方式，将展品快速而轻松地放置在公园等非传统场所，以引起社区的注意。在参加“弹出”环节的参观者中，组织者将邀请那些有兴趣的人在当地图书馆参加更深层次的海洋科学讨论。这个更深入的讨论，被称为“深入”，将涉及科学家从一艘研究船上对他们的研究活动发表评论。来自海底的岩心将被用来教育与会者关于地球的历史。项目场地的地点将包括农村社区，那里有大量得不到服务的公民。要调查的研究问题有：1。“弹出式”和“下钻式”练习是否为STEM（科学、技术、工程和数学）学习创造了有效和可持续的模式？2. “弹出/深入”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）在履行其使命时的需求？3. 这些会议对提高对海洋和地球科学、技术以及科学家/工程师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?