A Research to Practice Conference to Identify and Disseminate the Evidence, Characteristics and Program Models that Demonstrate the Value of Connected STEM Learning

美国国家科学教师协会将召开一次会议，汇集STEM研究人员和从业人员，审查日益增长的科学学习运动。互联的科学学习环境被描述为一个强大的科学生态，包含各种各样的项目，跨越一系列机构和地方，让青年以不同的方式参与STEM。这样的环境可以包括小型的合作伙伴关系，如科学博物馆和K-12学校，或一个大型的社区范围的各种组织网络，如K-12学校，博物馆，大学，政府机构和社区组织。会议将汇集40多名与会者，他们将在一系列的在线会议中会面。会议将产生一系列论文，在线连接科学学习杂志和其他出版物上的文章，一系列网络研讨会和在线论坛，与会者可以参与会议中确定的主题，并在包括国家科学教师协会，科学技术中心协会等组织的年度会议上进行会议演讲。该奖项由高级非正式STEM学习计划资助，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。会议将：（1）记录支持和展示高质量互联科学学习体验的影响和价值的研究基础;（2）确定建议未来研究的领域;（3）提供有效的，以咨询师为重点的资源，促进互联STEM学习。该会议的与会者将代表非正式和正式STEM教育领域的广泛研究人员和从业者，并代表性别、种族/民族和地理多样性。会议的成果和产品将有助于发展对连接STEM学习的理解和欣赏，并最终改善K-12青年的连接STEM学习。强调多样性、公平性和可及性的重要性将在通过会议确定的关键证据中得到强烈体现，并将反映在将传播给更广泛受众的资源中。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The National Science Teachers Association will convene a conference that will bring together STEM researchers and practitioners to review the growing connected science learning movement. A connected science learning environment has been described as a robust science ecology containing a wide variety of programs, across a range of institutions and places, allowing youth different and multiple ways to engage with STEM. Such environments can include small partnerships, such as a science museum and K-12 schools, or a large, community-wide network of a variety of organizations such as K-12 schools, museums, universities, government agencies, and community organizations. The conference will bring together over forty participants, who will meet in a series of several online meetings. The conference will result in a series of papers, articles in the online Connected Science Learning journal and other publications, a series of webinars and online forums where participants can engage with themes identified in the conference, and conference presentations at the annual meetings of organizations including the National Science Teachers Association, the Association of Science-Technology Centers, and others. This award is funded by the Advanced Informal STEM Learning program which seeks to advance new approaches to, and evidence-based understanding of, the design and development of STEM learning in informal environments. The conference will: (1) document the research foundation that supports and demonstrates the impact and value of high-quality connected science learning experiences; (2) identify areas for which future research is recommended; and (3) provide effective, practitioner-focused resources that advance connected STEM learning. The conference will include participants that represent a wide range of researchers and practitioners in informal and formal STEM education, as well as representing gender, racial/ethnic and geographical diversity. The results and products of the conference will be instrumental in developing the understanding and appreciation for connecting STEM learning and ultimately improving connected STEM learning for K-12 youth. The importance of emphasizing diversity, equity, and accessibility will be strongly represented in the key evidence identified through the conference and will be reflected in the resources that will be disseminated to a broader audience.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.