Collaborative Research: Embedding Public Engagement with Science at Long-Term Ecological Research Sites

作为加强非正式环境中学习的总体战略的一部分，推进非正式STEM学习(AISL)计划寻求促进非正式环境中STEM学习的设计和发展的新方法和基于证据的理解。这包括为扩大获得和参与STEM学习经验提供多种途径，推进对非正式环境中STEM学习的创新研究和评估，以及加深参与者对更深层次学习的理解。该项目将把公众参与科学(PES)纳入两个长期生态研究(LTER)地点的文化和实践中：新汉普郡的哈伯德·布鲁克实验森林和马萨诸塞州的哈佛森林。目标是1)建立关于科学家和成年利益相关者之间在面对面互动环境中相互学习的知识，以及2)在基于地点的生态系统研究内容中发展基于证据的实践。这是一个由三所大学(密歇根州立大学、哈佛大学和纽约州立大学)和两个LTER合作的项目。两个主要的研究问题指导着这项工作。首先，参加PES的科学家的意愿有多大？他们对参与是否有效以及他们是否拥有必要的技能持何种态度和信念？第二，参与研究的科学家有多大意愿使用规范的策略与利益相关者建立关系？将使用定性和定量方法收集证据，包括半结构化访谈和调查。一组普遍的假设包括LTER科学家参与PES的意愿、态度和疗效信念将会有积极的变化。

As part of its overall strategy to enhance learning in informal environments, the Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program 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. This project will embed public engagement with science (PES) into the cultures and practices of two Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites: the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire and the Harvard Forest in Massachusetts. The goals are 1) to build knowledge about the mutual learning between scientists and adult stakeholders in face-to-face engagement setting and 2) to develop evidence-based practices in the content of place-based ecosystem research. This is a collaborative project of 3 universities (Michigan State University, Harvard, and CUNY) and the two LTERs.Two primary research questions guide this work. First, how willing are participating scientists to take part in PES? What are their attitudes and beliefs about whether engagement can be effective and whether they have the necessary skills? Second, how willing are participating scientists to build relationships with stakeholders using normed tactics? Both qualitative and quantitative methods will be used to collect evidence including semi-structured interviews and surveys. A general set of hypothesis include that there will be positive changes in LTER scientists willingness to participate in PES, attitudes, and efficacy beliefs.