Developing an Informal Science Education Program for Use in a Formal Setting

Authors

Kyle Fitzpatrick-Schmidt,  Brittany Rhodes,  Ned Shelton,  Michael Strickland

Sponsor

Banksia Gardens Community Centre

Advisors

Andrea Bunting,  Dominic Golding

Term

January – March 2013

Abstract

In the past 20 years, Australian students have become troublingly disinterested in science and science-related careers. The Banksia Gardens Community Centre aims to address this issue with an in-school science education program. Utilizing the best practices in informal education, we implemented a pilot science program in three schools in Hume City, and left Banksia with a suite of activities and supporting materials for use in future programs. From our analysis of the pilot program, we concluded that hands-on activities are effective for engaging students, and that the pilot program was successful at cultivating their science interest. We recommend that educators develop these inquiry-based methods, and utilize similar outreach programs to encourage an interest in science.

Final Report

Developing an Informal Science Education Program for Use in a Formal Setting

Supplementary Materials

Banksia -Science Activity Portfolio.pdf