Resource Centers
Marcussen & Associates is proud to have assisted the following three projects with their successful proposals to the National Science Foundation.
Center for Advancement of Informal Science Education (CAISE)
Association of Science-Technology Centers, 1025 Vermont Avenue, NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC 20005-6310
(202) 783-7200
CAISE is dedicated to advancing and improving the practice of informal science education. Founded in 2007 with support from the National Science Foundation Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings, CAISE focuses on increasing and communicating the value of NSF's investments in informal science education. The Center is planning a community website and monthly newlsetter with highlights of NSF-funded projects and relevant research; conferences and online workshops for principal investigators of NSF-funded projects; inquiry groups to study and report on critical and emerging issues; and fellowships and mentoring programs for those new to the field. CAISE partners include the Oregon State University Program in Free-Choice Learning, University of Pittsburgh Center for Learning in Out of School Environments (UPCLOSE), and Visitor Studies Association (VSA).
Informal Science
http://www.informalscience.org
Center for Learning in Out of School Environments (UPCLOSE)
Learning Research and Development Center, University of Pittsburgh
This site supported by NSF is a place to share knowledge and support a community of learners to inform informal science learning standards and practices. Here you can search the informal science database of peer-reviewed publications relevant to the field and updated by the community; find and download front-end and summative evaluation reports; and locate evaluators and discover resources to help you conceptualize, measure, and assess learning in free-choice contexts.
ExhibitFiles
Association of Science-Technology Centers, 1025 Vermont Avenue, NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC 20005-6310
(202) 783-7200
ExhibitFiles is an online community of exhibit practitioners building a shared collection of exhibition records and reviews. This new website created and managed by the Association of Science-Technology Centers, Independent Exhibitions, and Ideum is a place to preserve and learn from exhibition experiences. Established with support from NSF, ExhibitFiles will grow with the community’s collaborators – so join now, post your exhibitions, add comments, and review the work of others.
References for Your Bookshelf
The following references are available through ASTC Publications or through AltaMira Press.
Learning Science in Places and Pursuits: The Contributions of Informal Environments
Bell, P., B. Lewenstein, A. W. Shouse and M. A. Feder (eds.). 2008. Committee on Learning Science in Informal Environments, National Research Council. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.
Learning Science in Places and Pursuits is an invaluable guide for program and exhibit designers, evaluators, staff of science-rich informal learning institutions and community-based organizations, scientists interested in educational outreach, federal science agency education staff, and K-12 science educators.
Framework for Evaluating Impacts of Informal Science Education Projects
Friedman, A. J. (ed.). 2008. Report from a National Science Foundation Workshop
This handbook offers background about NSF's evolving reporting requirements and advice from evaluators working in the field about how to gather evidence of project impacts. Available online (960k PDF).
Creating Connections: Museums and the Public Understanding of Current Research
Chittendon, D., G. Farmelo and B. Lewenstein. 2004. New York, NY: AltaMira Press.
This compendium of essays is an invaluable resource for science museum professionals who want to guide their institutions toward a new understanding of and appreciation for current research.
Taking Science to School: Learning and Teaching Science in Grades K-8
Duschul, R. A., H. A. Schweingruber and A. W. Shouse (eds.). 2007. Washington, CD: The National Academies Press.
This book provides a detailed examination of the role of research and evidence in determining what we know about children's learning of science.
In Principle, In Practice: Museums as Learning Institutions
Falk, J. H., L. D. Dierking and S. Foutz (eds). 2007. New York, NY: AltaMira Press.
This compilation of knowledge gained from years of studying in museums, combined with practical advice for fostering learning through museum experiences, is a valuable resource for museum professionals.
Fostering Active Prolonged Engagement: the Art of Creating APE Exhibits
Humphrey, T., J. P. Gutwilll and the Exploratorium APE Team. 2005. San Francisco, CA: The Exploratorium.
A valuable resource for anyone interested in how and why visitors interact with exhibits the way they do.
Are We There Yet? Conversations about Best Practices in Science Education Exhibition Development
McLean, K. and C. McEver. 2004. San Francisco, CA: The Exploratorium.
This book is an inspiring first step toward a field-wide conversation: How do we embrace inquiry in our practice? How do we learn from the work others? How do we focus on the impacts we hope to achieve? How do we become more creative and innovative?
Visitor Voices in Museum Exhibitions
McLean, K. and W. Pollock (eds.). Washington, DC: Association of Science-Technology Centers.
In sharing their experiences, the authors represented in this book speak of the power of visitor contributions to museum exhibitions.
Exemplary Science In Informal Education Settings: Standards-based Success Stories
Yaeger, R. E. and J. H. Falk (eds.). 2008. Arlington, VA: NSTA Press.
This book provides 17 real-world examples of how science education reform has fostered learning in museums, science centers, zoos, and aquariums as well as on television, radio, and the internet.
Handbook for Small Science Centers
Yao, C. C. (ed.). 2006. New York, NY: AltaMira Press.
By mixing and matching the experiences chronicled here, a new museum will find just the advice, warnings, and inspirations they need for their unique institution.