Orchestral Innovations in Science Education (OISE): An Experiment in Informal STEAM Learning

巴尔的摩交响乐团(BSO)与马里兰大学巴尔的摩县分校(UMBC)和Octava(一家科技公司)合作，正在进行一项试探性研究项目，以评估在音乐厅环境中通过现场音乐向成人观众提供非正式科学学习(ISL)的有效性。这项研究的前半部分被安排在2016年美国交响乐团联盟巴尔的摩年会期间进行。观众将了解对称在科学和音乐中都是一个核心概念的核心理念，他们将通过管弦乐来体验这些理念，比如亚伦·科普兰的阿巴拉契亚之春和贝多芬的交响乐。项目目标是：测试成人(18岁)在现场管弦乐表演期间是否可以进行非正式的STEM学习，以及非正式STEM学习的程度，以及科学内容如何改善观众体验；并开发评估工具，以衡量观众通过互动技术和传统节目笔记与现场音乐表演相关的学习和对科学概念的保持。它由推进非正式STEM学习(AISL)计划资助，该计划旨在促进对非正式环境中STEM学习的设计和发展的新方法和基于证据的理解。这包括为扩大STEM学习经验的获取和参与提供多种途径，推进对非正式环境中STEM学习的创新研究和评估，以及促进参与者对更深层次学习的理解。试点研究将调查与受众构成、学习形式(是否使用APP技术、课程笔记)和科学概念相关的关键变量的交互作用。由Octava继续开发的平板电脑应用程序技术提供了不引人注目的程序笔记，在音乐会进行时实时充当音乐会伴奏。混合方法研究方法将使用测试前和测试后工具以及焦点小组访谈产生定量和定性数据。在表演结束六周后，将向参与者发送一份后续调查问卷，以确定所学知识是否会保留一段时间。将向科学、科学教育和音乐领域的专业人员传播项目成果。

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO), in collaboration with the Psychology Department of the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) and Octava (a technology company), are conducting a pilot exploratory research project to assess the effectiveness of delivering informal science learning (ISL) to adult audiences through live music in a concert hall environment. The first half of the study is being timed to coincide with the 2016 annual meeting in Baltimore of the League of American Orchestras. Audiences will be introduced to the core idea that symmetry is a central concept both in science and in music, and they will experience these ideas via the orchestral music of pieces such as Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring and Beethoven's Symphony. No. 5. The project goals are: to test whether and the extent to which informal STEM learning can occur among adults (ages 18+) during live orchestral performances and how the science content may enhance the audience experience; and to develop assessment tools for measuring audience learning and retention of scientific concepts delivered in connection with live musical performances both through interactive technology and through traditional program notes. It is funded by the Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program, which seeks to advance new approaches to, and evidence-based understanding of, the design and development of STEM learning in informal environments. This includes providing multiple pathways for broadening access to and engagement in STEM learning experiences, advancing innovative research on and assessment of STEM learning in informal environments, and developing understandings of deeper learning by participants.The pilot study will investigate the interaction of key variables related to the audience composition, the learning formats (use of app technology, program notes, or not), and the science concepts. The tablet application technology, under continued development by Octava, presents unobtrusive program notes that act as a concert companion in real time as a concert proceeds. The mixed methods research methodology will produce quantitative and qualitative data using pre- and post-test instruments and focus group interviews. A follow-up questionnaire will be sent to participants six weeks after the performances to ascertain whether what was learned was retained over a period of time. Dissemination of project findings will be to professionals in science, science education and music fields.