A Workshop to Plan The Future of the Teen Science Cafe Network

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）计划资助创新的研究，方法和资源，用于各种设置。青少年科学咖啡馆网络是一个适应青少年，流行的成人科学咖啡馆模式，它将人们聚集在一个社交环境中，与科学家就一些有趣而及时的话题进行生动的对话。自2012年成立以来，该网络迅速发展：目前已在45个州、哥伦比亚特区和不列颠哥伦比亚省的130个地点开展工作。多项评价记录了其影响。青少年的STEM素养有所提高，科学家作为真实的人过着有趣的生活，对科学的本质有了更好的理解。 这个为期两天半的会议旨在审查这种青少年参与科学和科学传播模式的状况。与会者将研究从这一网络和类似网络中吸取的经验教训，以考虑将这一模式推广到其他受众所需的功能（例如，青少年科学咖啡馆网络的领导者，沿着由成功管理网络的个人组成的咨询委员会，将探讨这些基本问题：1）该领域如何最好地利用这个庞大且不断增长的网络？2)如何利用当前的实践社区促进增长？ 3)与4-H、科学中心、课外服务提供者网络、科学节、专业协会和图书馆等组织建立和保持有效、长期的合作伙伴关系的最有效策略是什么？4)在海洋科学、天体物理学、地球科学和极地科学等领域促进特定学科咖啡馆的可能成果是什么？ 会议的成果包括一套完善的指导原则，为当前的网络和一个白色文件描述强大和有效的网络和扩展的建议的特点。这个奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并已被认为是值得通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估的支持。

As part of its overall strategy to enhance learning in informal environments, the Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program funds innovative research, approaches and resources for use in a variety of settings.The Teen Science Cafe Network is an adaptation for teens, of the popular adult science cafe model, which brings people together in a social setting to have an animated conversation with a scientist on some interesting and timely topic. Since its inception in 2012, the Network has grown at a rapid rate: it is now in 130 sites in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and British Columbia. Multiple evaluations have documented its impact. Teens are shown to have increased STEM literacy, a more realistic picture of scientists as real people leading interesting lives, and a better understanding of the nature of science. This two-and-a-half-day conference is designed to review the state of this model of teen engagement in science and science communication. Participants will examine lessons learned from this and similar networks to consider the features needed to expand this model to other audiences (e.g., rural teens, teenage college students, teenagers on military bases, and teens served by local chapters of professional societies based on ethnicity and gender).Leaders of the Teen Science Cafe Network, along with an advisory committee comprised of individuals who are successfully managing networks, will explore these fundamental questions: 1) How can the field best take advantage of this large and growing network? 2) How can the current community of practice be leveraged for growth? 3) What are some of the most effective strategies for achieving and maintaining effective, long-term partnerships with organizations such as 4-H, science centers, networks of afterschool providers, science festivals, professional societies, and libraries? 4) What are possible outcomes for promoting discipline-specific cafes in areas such as ocean science, astrophysics, geoscience, and polar science? Outputs from the conference include a refined set of guiding principles for the current network and a white paper describing the features of strong and effective networks and recommendations for scaling.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.