What’s informal science education?

Informal science education supports people of all ages and walks of life in exploring science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

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Replicating the Learning Ecosystem of Museum Scientists

Museum Mysteries

February 26, 2010 by Richard Efthim

The Smithsonian’s Naturalist Center has been able to recreate the “learning ecosystem” of museum scientists by providing access on demand to objects, references and tools to the public. Students from Grade 5-12 learn to use these resources to solve museum mysteries similar to those studied by museum researchers. With only general supervision students develop inquiry and problem solving skills, learn to “read” museum objects and understand how museums work. Surveys of over 250 students, teachers and chaperones 85% revealed the Center changed the way respondants viewed museums, as resources for learning and not just “warehouses of dead things.”

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history, inquiry, learning, museum, natural