Convergent Learning from Divergent Perspectives: Interdisciplinary Collaborations in Informal Science Communication

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。这一创新发展项目将开发一个合作项目，将来自不同学科的研究人员联系起来，让他们做好准备，在三个不同的非正式环境中向所有年龄段的公众传播科学：社区活动中的弹出窗口、青年解决问题活动的体验式学习以及在科学博物馆中的演示。它将研究该计划对STEM研究人员的身份和动机的影响，并评估公众受众的短期和中期结果。项目合作伙伴包括位于俄亥俄州哥伦布市的STEAM工厂、OHI/O非正式技术学习计划和科学与工业中心(COSI)。1)开发一个协作项目，将来自不同学科的研究人员联系起来，让他们做好准备，创造性地、有效地向所有年龄段的人传播科学。2)评估不同非正式学习环境下的短期和中期学习结果。3)研究合作项目对研究人员的动机和认同感的影响。具体的研究问题是：由于这些具有不同视角的协作体验，研究人员的动机和身份以什么方式进一步发展？将使用混合方法方法。数据将从3组在不同非正式学习环境中实施项目的研究人员那里收集和分析。一系列事前和事后对科学家的采访将被用来回答上面的研究问题。面试将以自决理论为基础。随后的反思性调查将作为数据的三角测量。这一裁决反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

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 Innovations in Development project will develop a collaborative program to connect and prepare researchers from divergent disciplines to communicate science to publics of all ages in three distinct informal environments: pop-ups at community events, experiential learning with problem solving events for youth, and presentations at a science museum. It will study the effects of this program on the identity and motivations of STEM researchers and evaluate the short and medium-term outcomes for public audiences. Project partners include, The STEAM Factory, OHI/O Informal Learning in Tech Program, and the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) all located in Columbus, Ohio.The primary goals of this project are as follows. 1) Develop a collaborative program that connects and prepares researchers from divergent disciplines to creatively and effectively communicate science to people of all ages. 2) Evaluate the short and medium-term learning outcomes across different informal learning settings. 3) Study the effect of this collaborative program on the motivations and identify of the researchers. The specific research question is: In what ways do researchers motivations and identities further develop because of these collaborative experiences with divergent perspectives? A mixed method approach will be used. Data will be collected and analyzed from 3 cohorts of researchers who implement programs in different informal learning settings. A series of pre- and post interviews with scientists will be designed to answer the research question above. Interviews will be grounded in self-determination theory. Later reflective surveys will serve as triangulation for the data.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.