Informal Science Education Policy: Issues and Opportunities
Informal science education as we know it today didn’t begin from national mandates, the continuation of long-standing practices, or a coordinated effort of a large group. It arose at various places and times from the enthusiasms of individuals and small groups wanting to share a subject they loved and respected. Each science radio program, museum, community program, aquarium, and website has its unique origin story. Then partnerships were formed, professional organizations assembled, funders emerged, and popular practices became traditions. Those traditions became policies, often without the kind of formal adoption and review one sees in formal education or other cultural schemes.
Informal Science Education Policy: Issues and Opportunities describes, various policies, internal and external, written and implicit, which now encourage or constrain informal science education. The issues discussed in this CAISE Inquiry Group report are intended to spark conversation and awaken us to the policy contexts around us.
To read the report, download the PDF below.
Full Report (PDF 527MB)