JoinAll Informal Education resources
NSTA Press Book
Big Data, Small Devices: Investigating the Natural World Using Real-Time Data
Now your students can transform their mobile phones and tablets into tools for learning about everything from weather to water quality. Big Data, Small Devices shows you how. This book is designed for Earth and environmental science teachers who want...
By Donna Governor, Michael Bowen, Eric Brunsell
Journal Article
Learn how rural students in Kentucky shared their classroom knowledge by presenting on health topics and new technologies at flea markets, swap meets, and specialty events such as car shows. ...
By Robin Cooper, Kim Zeidler, Diane Johnson, and Jennifer Wilson
Journal Article
STEM Learning Across Boundaries
It’s important to acknowledge that words matter in research communities. Bronwyn Bevan discusses the language surrounding in-school and out-of-school communities used in Connected Science Learning. ...
By Bronwyn Bevan
Journal Article
Modeling Collaboration for Learning
The Science Museum of Minnesota’s offers a well-developed model for implementing the Engineering is Elementary curriculum in Minnesota school districts for grades K–5, as well as a program for preservice teachers and teens called Linking Educat...
By Lauren Causey, Shannon McManimon, and Emily Poster
Journal Article
SciGirls Strategies aims to increase the number of high school girls recruited to and retained in nontraditional, technical STEM pathways. The program provides career and technical education teachers with professional development focused on gender-eq...
By Rita Karl, Bradley McLain, and Alicia Santiago
Journal Article
Skynet Junior Scholars (SJS) is an online astronomy program that allows youth to conduct inquiry-based investigations. This article describes the SJS professional development model (SJS PD) that helps nonschool educators to work in the formal schoo...
By Kathryn Williamson, Sue Ann Heatherly, Vivian Hoette, Eva Erdosne Toth, and David Beer
Journal Article
Professional Development Disguised as Museum Outreach
Exploration Place shows how its educators embedded professional development into elementary classrooms in Wichita, Kansas. ...
By Jan Luth, Kimberly McDowell, and Laurel Zhang
Journal Article
Through a business funded collaborative, this Research Experience for Teachers program involves businesses, schools, and a museum to give teachers first-hand knowledge of what it’s like to do science in the corporate research world by giving them...
By Robert Payo and Meg John
Journal Article
Working Together for Test Success
Sky Ranch Outdoor Education program shows how it collaborates with formal educators to enhance student test scores and achieve its program outcomes. ...
By Dan Carpenter and Todd Witt
NSTA Press Book
Learning to Read the Earth and Sky: Explorations Supporting the NGSS, Grades 6–12
Is it time to refresh the way you think about teaching Earth science? Learning to Read the Earth and Sky is the multifaceted resource you need to bring authentic science—and enthusiasm—into your classroom. It offers inspiration for reaching beyon...
By Russ Colson, Mary Colson
Journal Article
The Exploratorium Teacher Institute leverages a network of teachers, education researchers, practicing scientists, and informal education staff to address the professional learning needs of secondary science teachers. ...
By Julie H. Yu and Sara C. Heredia
Journal Article
From Curiosity to Conservation Careers
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Conservation Connect, a freely available video series, connects learners to wildlife, technology, and careers. ...
By Maria Parisi
Journal Article
First Issue of Connected Science Learning a Great Success
CSL editor Dennis Schatz discusses the response to our first issue, the journal’s new serialized publication format, and this issue’s theme, professional development. All of us associated with producing Connected Science Learning a...
By Dennis Schatz