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Project Descriptions

Collaborative Research: Embedding Public Engagement with Science at Long-Term Ecological Research Sites

August 1, 2017 - July 31, 2020 | Public Programs, Professional Development, Conferences, and Networks

As part of its overall strategy to enhance learning in informal environments, the Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program seeks to advance new approaches to, and evidence-based understanding of, the design and development of STEM learning in informal environments. This includes providing multiple pathways for broadening access to and engagement in STEM learning experiences, advancing innovative research on and assessment of STEM learning in informal environments, and developing understandings of deeper learning by participants. This project will embed public engagement with science (PES) into the cultures and practices of two Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites: the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire and the Harvard Forest in Massachusetts. The goals are 1) to build knowledge about the mutual learning between scientists and adult stakeholders in face-to-face engagement setting and 2) to develop evidence-based practices in the content of place-based ecosystem research. This is a collaborative project of 3 universities (Michigan State University, Harvard, and CUNY) and the two LTERs. Two primary research questions guide this work. First, how willing are participating scientists to take part in PES? What are their attitudes and beliefs about whether engagement can be effective and whether they have the necessary skills? Second, how willing are participating scientists to build relationships with stakeholders using normed tactics? Both qualitative and quantitative methods will be used to collect evidence including semi-structured interviews and surveys. A general set of hypothesis include that there will be positive changes in LTER scientists willingness to participate in PES, attitudes, and efficacy beliefs.

Funders

NSF
Funding Program: AISL
Award Number: 1713197
Funding Amount: $169,830.00
NSF
Funding Program: AISL
Award Number: 1713204
Funding Amount: $591,637.00
NSF
Funding Program: AISL
Award Number: 1713219
Funding Amount: $49,450.00
NSF
Funding Program: AISL
Award Number: 1713222
Funding Amount: $68,993.00
NSF
Funding Program: AISL
Award Number: 1713307
Funding Amount: $344,407.00

TEAM MEMBERS

  • John Besley
    Principal Investigator
    Michigan State University
  • 2014 08 11 garlick
    Principal Investigator
    Hubbard Brook Research Foundation
  • Peter Groffman
    Principal Investigator
    CUNY - Advanced Science Research Center
  • Pamela Templer
    Principal Investigator
    Boston University
  • Kathleen Lambert
    Principal Investigator
    Harvard University
  • Resource Type: Projects
    Discipline: Ecology, forestry, and agriculture | Education and learning science
    Audience: Adults | Museum/ISE Professionals | Scientists | Evaluators | Learning Researchers
    Environment Type: Public Programs | Park, Outdoor, and Garden Programs | Professional Development, Conferences, and Networks | Resource Centers and Networks

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