Ten Years of Youth Programs at the American Museum of Natural History: An Independent Perspective and Lessons Learned

Authors

Becky Carroll, with assistance from Anita Smith, Barbara Heenan, Heather Mitchell, Mark St. John, Inverness Research

Purpose

This report includes:

• A discussion of the theory of action and the rationale that underlies the AMNH youth programs
• A description of three of the programs that have been offered and the evolution in program design that has taken place over the years
• A description of the core common features of the programs
• A discussion of the benefits of the programs to youth participants
• An examination of the fundamental challenges that emerge from creating and offering programs for urban high school students in a science-rich institution
• A discussion of key design features contributing to a successful museum-based youth program

We believe this report will be of interest to funders seeking to support similar youth programs, to science-rich institutions hoping to design and implement such programs, and to a broader audience of people who are interested in finding ways to support the development of minority youth. We also hope that the report will be useful to the American Museum of Natural History itself, as a record of its past accomplishments as well as a guide to future youth programming efforts.

Intended Audience

Funders, Directors of Youth Programs, Science Educators, Museum Educators, Teachers, Reform Leaders, general public.

Disclaimer

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

Date published

January 2008

Distribution Policy

Inverness Research Inc. grants permission to print and distribute copies.

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