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Learning Science in Informal Environments: People, Places, and Pursuits 
Practitioner's Volume: Surrounded by Science: Learning Science in Informal Environments Background Papers | The Board on Science Education (BOSE) conducted a consensus study* synthesizing the research on science learning in informal environments; resulting in the final report Learning Science in Informal Environments: People, Places, and Pursuits. Informal science is a burgeoning field that operates across a broad range of venues (museums, media outlets, state parks, science clubs, after school programs), and envisages learning outcomes for individuals, schools, families, and society. The evidence base that describes informal science, its’ promise and effects is informed by a range of disciplines and perspectives, including field-based research, evaluations, visitor studies, and more traditional psychological studies of learning. While the informal science learning literature is broad and diverse, the evidence base is also splintered. From the report Learning Science in Informal Environments: People, Places, and Pursuits, the BOSE developed a resource for practitioners** that is based on the evidence, findings and conclusions of the consensus study. This resource, Surrounded by Science, provides practitioners with a view of research findings situated in the context of their daily work. *This work was sponsored by the National Science Foundation’s Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings. **This work was sponsored by the National Science Foundation’s Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings, the Institute for Museum and Library Services, and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. Related NRC Reports: |
