In this Issue

The lifelong learning of science includes gaining knowledge of concepts, methods, practices and scientific reasoning that is accumulated from experiences in both formal and informal educational settings and experiences. Out-of-school time (OST) programs from pre-school to high school are supported by states, federal agencies, private foundations, private companies and volunteer organizations and involve millions of children and youth. Yet, unlike formal educational practices, no single research or statistical study has attempted to accumulate a body of knowledge about the science education practices of OST learning.

The 2011 annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) included a symposium "Learning Science in Out-of-School Time: Research Directions for Generalized Understanding of OST", organized and chaired by Larry Suter (NSF). One of the papers from this session is presented here with permission of the authors. It presents a description of an ongoing project to study how California has created a strategy to teach science to students in OST settings. In particular, it explores issues of professional development in science of OST workers. It is an example of the types of design, measurement strategies and assessment tools that are needed in order to capture developments in the field and create generalizations beyond individual programs.

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News and Updates

• CAISE Intiatives: Benjamin Dickow, director of the CAISE Entree initiative, is in the process of contacting all active NSF ISE principal investigators to share information about CAISE resources as well as to gather input and feedback. If you are a PI who has not yet been contacted and would like to hear from us sooner rather than later, please email Ben Dickow.  We look forward to talking with you soon about CAISE and hearing your ideas, questions and concerns.  CAISE will also be distributing a survey in late May to get feedback for NSF on the ISE Evaluation Framework.
• NSF-Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability (SEES): NSF has released a solicitation for proposals for Research Coordination Networks (RCN) that focuses on the new investment area of Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability (SEES). RCN-SEES welcomes proposals from universities and two- and four-year colleges (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, and non-profit, non-academic organizations including independent museums, observatories, research labs, professional societies and similar organizations in the U.S. associated with educational or research activities. Deadline for RCN SEES-track proposals is May 24, 2011.  Access the full RCN solicitation.  
• LEAP into Science Expansion Conference: Apply to attend the LEAP into Science Expansion Conference in Philadelphia, PA on July 18-20, 2011! LEAP into Science is a partnership between the Franklin Institute Science Museum and the Free Library of Philadelphia, funded by the National Science Foundation, which aims to engage urban youth and families in hands-on science and children’s literature in an afterschool setting.  This program will be expanding to 10 additional sites nationwide this summer, with implementation starting this fall 2011. We are currently looking for museums, libraries, afterschool programs, and other organizations to partner together to implement LEAP into Science in your area.  Along with reimbursement for travel to Philadelphia for the conference on July 18-20, 2011 at the Franklin Institute, sites will receive FREE program resources and professional development.  Interested sites should complete applications electronically and submit to Julia Skolnik by MAY 6, 2011.  
• VSA Conference Registration Open: Online-only Early Bird Registration is open until June 17 for the 24th Annual Visitor Studies Association Conference, "Building Shared Agendas: Conversations on the Public Value of Visitor Studies". The conference will be held from July 24 - 27, 2011, at the historic Palmer House Hotel in downtown Chicago, Illinois. Register for the conference at the Visitor Studies Association website.  
• ASTC Annual Conference Registration Open: Super-early bird registration is open until May 31 for the 2011 ASTC Annual Conference, "Knowledge That Works—From Theory to Practice", to be held October 15–18, 2011 in Baltimore, MD, hosted by the Maryland Science Center. Register during May to be entered into a drawing for two free nights at the conference hotel. Additional information can be found at the conference website. 
• Professional Development Opportunity: ASTC and the Museum of Science, Boston are convening a group of science center and museum professionals who organize and implement public forums, community conversations, science cafes and other forms of direct public engagement in science between scientists, policy makers, organizations and/or other community members. Participants will meet at the Museum of Science, Boston, June 25-27 to discuss current projects and best practices. Because organizers will cover expenses, including travel, room and board for each participant, space is limited. Apply before May 17, or contact Kate Crawford for more information.
• Informal Science in May, 2011 NSTA Science Class: Science Class is a monthly email newsletter of the National Science Teacher’s Association (NSTA) that delivers theme-based content to teachers every month in elementary, middle level, and high school editions. The May, 2011 edition is on the topic of learning in informal environments. NSTA members automatically receive free copies of Science Class. If you are not a member of NSTA and would like to receive Science Class, you can submit your email address on the NSTA website. (Look for the “Newsletter Sign-Up” link on the far left.) If you’d like to go directly to this month’s issues on Informal Science Education, please click the following: Elementary Middle Level High School
  
  

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