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

作为其整体战略的一部分，以加强在非正式环境中的学习，推进非正式STEM学习（AISL）计划旨在推进新的方法，并以证据为基础的理解，在非正式环境中的STEM学习的设计和开发。这包括提供多种途径，以扩大获得和参与STEM学习经验，推进非正式环境中STEM学习的创新研究和评估，以及发展参与者对深入学习的理解。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：新罕布什尔州的哈伯德布鲁克实验森林和马萨诸塞州的哈佛森林。 其目标是：1）建立科学家和成人利益相关者在面对面参与环境中相互学习的知识; 2）在基于地点的生态系统研究内容中制定循证实践。这是三所大学（密歇根州立大学，哈佛和纽约市立大学）和两个LTER的合作项目。两个主要的研究问题指导这项工作。 第一，参与的科学家参加生态系统服务费用分摊的意愿如何？他们对参与是否有效以及他们是否拥有必要的技能持什么态度和信念？第二，参与的科学家是否愿意使用规范策略与利益相关者建立关系？ 将采用定性和定量方法收集证据，包括半结构化访谈和调查。 一个一般的假设包括，将有积极的变化，LTER科学家愿意参与PES，态度和功效的信念。

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.