What is informal science education?
Informal science education supports people of all ages and walks of life in exploring science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The New York Hall of Science has released a 10-minute video about its Science Career Ladder Program, which since 1986 has engaged young people in science enrichment and employment programs at the Queens, New York, museum. Through the voices of youth explainers and museum staff (including Preeti Gupta of the CAISE Steering Committee), the film makes the case for the contributions of informal science experiences to development of lasting interest in STEM research and science education. The Career Ladder Program received a grant in 1991 from NSF's Division of Human Resource Development (#9153534).
An evaluation (PDF) of the program carried out in 2001-02 by the Institute of Learning Innovation (and available on InformalScience.org) showed that
- "participants were more willing than the average college graduate to consider a career in teaching
- acquired an appreciation for science in all its diversity
- acquired an appreciation for teaching
- developed a lifelong appreciation for science and learning, and
- developed a personal connection to science and learning."
The program also received funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and was profiled in the recent IMLS publication Museums, Libraries, & 21st Century Learning Skills.