David KramerSci-Bono Discovery Centre

“Designed spaces, including museums, science centres, zoos, aquariums, and environmental centres—can also support science learning. Rich with real-world phenomena, these are places where people can pursue and develop science interests, engage in science inquiry, and reflect on their experiences through sense-making conversations.”

“Programs, especially during out-of-school time, afford a special opportunity to expand science learning experiences..”

‘Learning Science in Informal Environments: People, Places, & Pursuits’

Bell, Lewenstein, Shouse, Feder, eds. Nat Academy of Sciences, 2009

Need SK AI

SET Awareness & Interest

SETSkills&Knowledge

Isolated expert

Interested generalist

SET illiterateNeed SKAI

Need SK AI

Bloom Jung Skinner Piaget Vigotsky KolbGardner Ausubel Wiggins Spady LewinGagne Bruner Rogers Palov et al..

Prior knowledge and culture are important

The brain is a dynamic organ

Learning is best when mediated

Rich experience leads to better learning

Learning is a set of complex cognitive events

Discovery starts here…

Effective Learning happens when learners….

INTENT: …really want to learn

INTERACTION: …get useful feedback

ACTION: …do things

DIGESTION: …understand, make sense (Assimilation) and meaning

DURATION: …take sufficient time

Criterion Exhibitions Activities Lecture Text

Mediation Moderate High Moderate Low

Processing Low High Low High

Richness High High Moderate Low

Activity Moderate High Low Low

Assimilation Low High Low Low

Duration Low Moderate Low ModerateExhibits Activities Presentations Text

Exhibitry Activities Presentations Publications

26%

37%

17%20%

Relative Learning Value

Major Science Centre Operations

Criterion Exhibitions Activities Present. Text

RETURN

Reach Value High Low Moderate High

Durability High Low Low Moderate

INVESTMENT

Cost High Moderate Low Moderate

Effort High High Low Low

Resources Moderate Moderate Low Low

Exhibitry Activities Presentations Publications

InvestmentVS

Return

Major Science Centre Operations

Cost ROI

Cost ROI

Cost ROI

Cost ROI

Exhibitry Activities Presentations Publications

Exhibitry Activities Presentations Publications

InvestmentVS

Return

Major Science Centre Operations

Exhibitry Activities Presentations Publications

SET awareness & interest ≠ knowledge

Experience = do + interact + read + think

Variety works best - Do everything

Differentiate audiences

People are critical to SET SKA development