| NSF Org: |
DRL Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL) |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | August 17, 2014 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | September 5, 2019 |
| Award Number: | 1421788 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Robert Russell
DRL Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL) EDU Directorate for STEM Education |
| Start Date: | September 15, 2014 |
| End Date: | August 31, 2019 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $141,695.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $141,695.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
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| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
2000 FLORIDA AVE NW STE 300 WASHINGTON DC US 20006-2702 (202)783-7200 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
818 Connecticut Ave NW, 7th Fl Washington DC US 20006-2734 |
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Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| NSF Program(s): | AISL |
| Primary Program Source: |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.076 |
ABSTRACT
This project will research factors influencing the implementation of programs designed to increase diverse participation in informal science. The goal is to provide the informal science education field with information and tools that will help them design effective programs that more effectively engage a broad range of diverse audiences. The project has two major components. First, the project will research the implementation of a citizen science project, Celebrate Urban Birds (CUB), in major U.S. cities. Citizen science projects involve public volunteers in gathering scientifically valid data as part of ongoing research. Second, building on results of the research, the project will launch a website and learning community (called a Community of Practice or CoP) supporting informal science educators that are involved in designing and implementing informal science programs with an emphasis on engaging diverse participants. The project will be lead by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (CLO), a leader in designing and researching citizen science projects, in collaboration with the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) and five science center members of ASTC, where the CUB program will be implemented and researched.
The objective of the research is to better understand contextual factors and how they impact implementation even when accepted practices are followed. Such research is key not only to revealing accepted practices but also to understanding how projects are implemented in the face of concrete operational, cultural, economic, and demographic variables. The research will use a comparative case study approach, which is designed for studies requiring holistic, in-depth investigation. The development of the website and the CoP will be guided by a Network Improvement Strategy, a research-based approach to designing educational CoPs. The development of the CoP will involve the project stakeholders including the informal science organization practitioners, community organization representatives, CUB staff, ASTC staff, advisors and consultants. This strategy will allow the project team and pilot sites to leverage their diverse experiences and skill sets to improve practice; provide space for researchers and practitioners to work together as partners; and develop a nuanced set of strategies that can be implemented across a variety of organizational contexts.
PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
As a collaboration with Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Garibay Group, and the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC), this project sought to address gaps in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in informal STEM education (ISE) by conducting research to better understand issues that influence how an informal STEM project is perceived, adapted, and implemented in underserved communities. We also studied the ways in which relationships evolve between Informal STEM Education Institutions (ISEs) and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) as they partner in program implementation.
This award supported collaboration and communication across the ISE and CBO fields. ASTC has facilitated activities that have increased research collaboration and provided professional development opportunities for the over 20 project partners involved. Project partners shared their perspectives on all project activities--including the implementation research and Community Based Participatory Research via project meetings, interviews, webinars, and our network improvement community, which was hosted and facilitated by the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC). Our online space was intended to support our project community by eliciting and sharing values and practices of the participating organizations. It provided a way of sustaining conversations and curating resources when the realities of distance did not.
ASTC and partners convened ISE and CBO professionals for 10 community conversations held at various conferences and museum sites and for 1 culminating virtual webinar. Based on the research, we shared an in-depth set of recommendations about effective methods of achieving EDI in informal STEM programming at a range of informal STEM institutions and community settings. Practitioners and partners in attendance discussed approaches and practices that can help ISEs partner more effectively with diverse communities in equitable ways to provide a broad range of relevant, meaningful experiences, rooted in cultural responsiveness, for diverse audiences. The project has significant relevance to local communities across the US, and the ISE site visits deepened the dialogue with public community stakeholders and elevated the importance of equitable partnerships.
Broadening Participation in STEM has been identified as a priority in the ISE field. However, the field continues to struggle in making significant gains in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Partnerships between ISE and CBOs have been identified as one promising approach to increasing participation in STEM. Publications and dialogue created during this project around navigating paradoxes of partnerships while trying to broaden participation in STEM will impact the ISE and CBO field, shaping how they form equitable collaborations in the future.
Last Modified: 11/27/2019
Modified by: Ann Hernandez
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