China - US Forum on Informal Science Education

本项目的目标是促成由中国科技中心协会（ASTC）和三个中国组织（CTSM， BSTCC， BSTEC）领导的科学中心人员代表代表团在2010年5月17日至19日举行会议，讨论非正式科学教育对公众和青少年STEM教育的好处。[这三个中国机构是：中国科技馆；北京市科学技术咨询中心（BSTCC）、北京市对外科学技术交流中心（BSTEC）。在中国北京举行的为期三天的会议将有16名美国人参加。双方将进行介绍，然后进行讨论，为比较和对比提供基础。参加会议的总人数估计为200人。中国最近决定在非正式的科学教育上投入相当大的努力，这表明科学学习从“动手”活动开始。这一结论的基础来自于对儿童教育认知方面的重要研究结果。鉴于美国对这一问题也有相当大的兴趣，这次会议恰逢其时。中国提供食宿和国内交通（13万美元），而NSF为美国参与者提供前往中国的机票和后勤费用。美国与会者将提交一份详细的最终报告，为会议成果的传播提供机制。

The goal of this project is to facilitate a conference (5/17-19/2010) between a representative delegation of science center personnel led by the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) and three Chinese organizations (CTSM, BSTCC, BSTEC) on the merits of informal science education for STEM education of the public and youth. [The three Chinese organizations are: China Science and Technology Museum (CSTM); Beijing Science and Technology Consulting Center (BSTCC), and Beijing Science and Technology Exchange Center with Foreign Countries (BSTEC).] The three-day conference in Beijing, China will include 16 US participants. Presentations from both sides will be made followed by discussions providing a basis for comparisons and contrasts. The total number of participants at the conference is estimated to be 200.China has recently decided to put considerable effort into informal science education, suggesting that science learning begins with "hands on" activities. The basis for this conclusion is derived from significant findings of research on cognitive aspects of childhood education. Since the US has considerable interest in this subject as well, this conference is timely. China is providing housing, meals and in-country transportation ($130,000) while NSF is providing US participants with airfare to China and logistical expenses.A detailed final report from the US participants will provide a mechanism for dissemination of the conference results.