Innovative Engagement: A Mass Transit Model for Informal Science Learning

根据NSF资助的会议结果，该项目的主要研究人员、来自马萨诸塞大学洛厄尔大学、马萨诸塞大学波士顿分校、霍夫斯特拉大学、波士顿科学博物馆和其他专业人士的教育工作者、科学家和传播专家组成的团队正在实施一个全面的发展项目，以调查户外多媒体(OHMM)展览对乘坐波士顿地铁系统(T)的成年人的影响。该项目的目标是设计、实施和研究OHMM模型的有效性，以便自由选择学习关于我们不断变化的气候的科学知识。一个由12个特别设计的标语牌、海报以及与展览内容链接的虚拟网络学习资源组成的轮流展览，可能每天吸引超过42万名成年车手沿着T的四条线路中的两条路线行驶。整个轻轨系统的无线接入和智能手机的兴起代表着多种因素的汇合，使创新的参与形式成为可能。这项工作旨在测试这种非正式科学教育的新模式，并有可能在波士顿和全国其他城市推广。

Following on the outcomes of an NSF-funded conference to this project's principal investigator, a team of educators, scientists, and communication experts from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, University of Massachusetts Boston, Hofstra, University, the Boston Museum of Science and other professionals is implementing a full-scale development project to investigate the impact of an Out-of-Home Multi-Media (OHMM) exhibit on adults riding Boston's subway system (the "T"). The project's goal is to design, implement, and study the efficacy of an OHMM model for free-choice science learning about our changing climate. A rotating exhibit of twelve specially designed placards, posters, as well as virtual, web-based learning resources linked to the exhibit content will potentially engage over 420,000 adult riders per day along two of the T's four lines. Wireless access throughout light rail systems and the rise of smart phones represent a confluence of factors making an innovative form of engagement possible. The work is positioned to test this new model for informal science education and potentially could be expanded in Boston and into other cities around the country.