“What About Us?” Designing Professional Learning For Educators in Science-Rich Educational Institutions — The Case of BaySci’s SREI Learning Community

Publication: Dec 2017

Project: BaySci – SREI

Authors: Laura Stokes, Jenifer V. Helms, Laurie Miller Lopez

Type: Report (pdf, 15 pages)

Abstract

“What about us? How can we continue our learning so we can serve teachers and schools better?”

This question from a science museum education director became the clarion call of a group of informal science educators in the San Francisco Bay Area that formed the Science-rich Education Institution (SREI) Learning Community. Supported by a four-year grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the SREI Learning Community was created to provide professional learning opportunities for informal science educators who frequently do the same for formal educators, but rarely have the opportunity to focus on their own learning. This paper outlines the story of the SREI Learning Community, identifying key features of its design, highlighting the types of activities that evolved over time, and reflecting on lessons learned. We hope this account can benefit others interested in facilitating informal educators’ opportunities to learn.

Intended Audience

Science Education Museum Educators and Administrators, Science Education Media Producers, Science Educators and Administrators, Reform Leaders and Funders, and general public.

Disclaimer

Any and all errors are claimed by the authors of this document, Inverness Research, Inc.

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