Orchestral Innovations in Science Education (OISE): An Experiment in Informal STEAM Learning

巴尔的摩交响乐团（BSO）与马里兰大学巴尔的摩县心理学系（UMBC）和Octava（一家技术公司）合作，正在进行一项试点探索性研究项目，以评估通过音乐厅环境中的现场音乐向成年听众提供非正式科学学习（ISL）的有效性。研究的前半部分将与2016年在巴尔的摩举行的美国交响乐团联盟年会同步进行。观众将被介绍对称是科学和音乐的核心概念，他们将通过亚伦·科普兰的《阿巴拉契亚之春》和贝多芬的交响曲等管弦乐作品来体验这些概念。5号。该项目的目标是：测试在现场管弦乐表演期间，成人（18岁以上）是否可以进行非正式的STEM学习，以及在多大程度上可以进行非正式的STEM学习，以及科学内容如何增强观众体验；并开发评估工具，以衡量观众通过互动技术和传统节目注释在现场音乐表演中对科学概念的学习和保留。它由推进非正式STEM学习（AISL）计划资助，该计划旨在推进非正式环境中STEM学习的设计和开发的新方法和基于证据的理解。这包括提供多种途径，扩大STEM学习经验的获取和参与，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度学习的理解。试点研究将调查与受众构成、学习形式（应用程序技术的使用、节目注释或不使用）和科学概念相关的关键变量之间的相互作用。Octava正在继续开发的平板电脑应用技术，可以在音乐会进行时实时呈现不显眼的程序提示，充当音乐会的伴奏。混合方法研究方法学将产生定量和定性数据使用前和后测试工具和焦点小组访谈。一份后续调查问卷将在表演六周后发给参与者，以确定所学内容是否在一段时间内被保留。项目成果将分发给科学、科学教育和音乐领域的专业人士。

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO), in collaboration with the Psychology Department of the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) and Octava (a technology company), are conducting a pilot exploratory research project to assess the effectiveness of delivering informal science learning (ISL) to adult audiences through live music in a concert hall environment. The first half of the study is being timed to coincide with the 2016 annual meeting in Baltimore of the League of American Orchestras. Audiences will be introduced to the core idea that symmetry is a central concept both in science and in music, and they will experience these ideas via the orchestral music of pieces such as Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring and Beethoven's Symphony. No. 5. The project goals are: to test whether and the extent to which informal STEM learning can occur among adults (ages 18+) during live orchestral performances and how the science content may enhance the audience experience; and to develop assessment tools for measuring audience learning and retention of scientific concepts delivered in connection with live musical performances both through interactive technology and through traditional program notes. It is funded by the Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program, which 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.The pilot study will investigate the interaction of key variables related to the audience composition, the learning formats (use of app technology, program notes, or not), and the science concepts. The tablet application technology, under continued development by Octava, presents unobtrusive program notes that act as a concert companion in real time as a concert proceeds. The mixed methods research methodology will produce quantitative and qualitative data using pre- and post-test instruments and focus group interviews. A follow-up questionnaire will be sent to participants six weeks after the performances to ascertain whether what was learned was retained over a period of time. Dissemination of project findings will be to professionals in science, science education and music fields.