Bulletin of the American Physical Society
2009 APS March Meeting
Volume 54, Number 1
Monday–Friday, March 16–20, 2009; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Session P7: Forging Effective Partnerships with Your Local Science Center: Outcomes from the Workshop on University/Science Center Collaborations |
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Sponsoring Units: FEd FPS Chair: Philip Hammer, Franklin Institute Room: 407 |
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 8:00AM - 8:36AM |
P7.00001: Lessons Learned from the APS/TFI Workshop on University/Science Center Collaborations: Outreach Strategies for Faculty Working with their Local Science Museum Invited Speaker: On May 31 -- June 1, 2008, The Franklin Institute (TFI) hosted the American Physical Society/Franklin Institute Workshop on University/Science Center Collaborations. This Workshop brought together forty leaders from science centers, universities, and federal funding agencies to explore what works and what doesn't work in university-science center collaborations. The goal was to explore the outreach motivations of academic institutions, their scientists and students, the characteristics and needs of small vs. large science centers, and the goals for and outcomes expected from reaching out to the general public from the perspectives of universities and science centers. The result was a convergence of viewpoints on how a good collaboration is established, built upon, sustained, and evaluated. [Preview Abstract] |
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 8:36AM - 9:12AM |
P7.00002: University Perspectives on Science Center/University Interactions Invited Speaker: A program bringing graduate students into science museums is described.~ Practical, nuts and bolts, methods for making the program work are outlined. Questions are asked about the somewhat uncomfortable relation between graduate education, research, and informal~education.~~ [Preview Abstract] |
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 9:12AM - 9:48AM |
P7.00003: University/Science Center Collaborations (A Science Center Perspective): Developing an Infrastructure of Partnerships with Science Centers to Support the Engagement of Scientists and Engineers in Education and Outreach for Broad Impact Invited Speaker: Science centers, professional associations, corporations and university research centers share the same mission of education and outreach, yet come from ``different worlds.'' This gap may be bridged by working together to leverage unique strengths in partnership. Front-end evaluation results for the development of new resources to support these (mostly volunteer-based) partnerships elucidate the factors which lead to a successful relationship. Maintaining a science museum-scientific community partnership requires that all partners devote adequate resources (time, money, etc.). In general, scientists/engineers and science museum professionals often approach relationships with different assumptions and expectations. The culture of science centers is distinctly different from the culture of science. Scientists/engineers prefer to select how they will ultimately share their expertise from an array of choices. Successful partnerships stem from clearly defined roles and responsibilities. Scientists/engineers are somewhat resistant to the idea of traditional, formal training. Instead of developing new expertise, many prefer to offer their existing strengths and expertise. Maintaining a healthy relationship requires the routine recognition of the contributions of scientists/engineers. As professional societies, university research centers and corporations increasingly engage in education and outreach, a need for a supportive infrastructure becomes evident. Work of TryScience.org/VolTS (Volunteers TryScience), the MRS NISE Net (Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network) subcommittee, NRCEN (NSF Research Center Education Network), the IBM On Demand Community, and IEEE Educational Activities exemplify some of the pieces of this evolving infrastructure. [Preview Abstract] |
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 9:48AM - 10:24AM |
P7.00004: Perspective of NSF-MPS Program Directors on Educational Outreach Invited Speaker: The National Science Foundation Broader Impacts review criterion (often known as Criterion 2) has been subject to much discussion since first implemented by NSF. The broader impact of different proposals can vary widely, based on different factors such as the particular research activities proposed, the interests of the PI(s), the type of institution involved in the proposal, and the different opportunities available on the local area, to name just a few. In this talk the Broader Impacts review criterion will be discussed from the viewpoint of the NSF Program Officers and will include different examples of potential Broader Impact activities. In Collaboration with Uma Venkateswaran, and Kathleen V. McCloud. [Preview Abstract] |
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