(for additional details about the course, see W.C. Crone, S.L. Dunwoody, R.K. Rediske, S.A. Ackerman, G.M. Zenner Petersen, R.A.Yaros, “Informal Science Education: A Practicum for Graduate Students,” Innovative Higher Education, 36(5), 2011.)

Sample topics and frequently used readings:

Informal science education venues

Banks, J., Au, K., Ball, A., Bell, P., Gordon, E., & Gutierrez, K., et al. (2007). Learning in and out of school in diverse environments: Life-long, life-wide, life-deep. Seattle, WA: LIFE Center and SRI International.

Crone, W. C. (2006). Bringing nano to the public: A collaboration opportunity for researchers and museums. Edited by S. Koch. Science Museum of Minnesota. St. Paul, MN.

The importance of understanding audience

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). (1990). Effective Learning and Teaching. In Project 2061: Science for all Americans. (pp. 197-207)New York: Oxford University Press.

National Science Board. (2008). Science and technology: Public attitudes and understanding. In Science and Engineering Indicators 2008 (Vol. 1, NSB 08-01; 2, NSB 08-01A). Arlington, VA: National Science Foundation.

National Research Council. (2009). Diversity and equity. In Committee on Learning Science in Informal Environments, P. Bell, B. Lewenstein, A. W. Shouse & M. A. Feder (Eds.), Learning science in informal environments: People, places, and pursuits (pp. 209-218, 232-237). Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

Bruns, K., Conklin, N., Wright, M., Hoover, D., Brace, B., Wise, G., et al. (2003). Scholarship: The key to creating change through outreach. Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, 8(1 & 2), 3-11.

Kisiel, J. (2006). Urban teens exploring museums: Science experiences beyond the classroom. American Biology Teacher, 68(7), 396-401.

Falk, J. H., Heimlich, J., & Bronnenkant, K. (2008). Using identity-related visit motivations as a tool for understanding adult zoo and aquarium visitors' meaning-making. Curator: The Museum Journal, 51(1), 55-79.

Bransford, J. D., Brown, A. L., & Cocking, R. R. (2000). How experts differ from novices. In J. D. Bransford, A. L. Brown & R. R. Cocking (Eds.), How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience and School (pp. 31-50). Washington, DC: National Academies Press.

Engaging with the Public through tabletop demonstrations/interactives

Perry, D. L. (1992). Designing exhibits that motivate. ASTC Newsletter, 20(2), 9-10,12.

Kennedy, J. (1994). User friendly exhibit design checklist. In User friendly: Hands-on exhibits that work. Washington, DC: Association of Science-Technology Centers.

Nanoscale Informal Science Education (NISE) network. (2008). Universal design guidelines for public programs in science museums: Results from the December 2007 Charrette.   Retrieved July, 2010, from http://www.nisenet.org/sites/default/files/UniversalDesignGuidelinesPrograms_Guide_May10.pdf

Vom Lehn, D., Heath, C., & Hindmarsh, J. (2001). Exhibiting interaction: Conduct and collaboration in museums and galleries. Symbolic Interaction, 24(2), 189-216.

Heath, C., Vom Lehn, D., & Osborne, J. (2005). Interaction and interactives: collaboration and participation with computer-based exhibits Public Understanding of Science, 14, 91-101.

McCallie, E., Bell, L., Lohwater, T., Falk, J. H., Lehr, J. L., Lewenstein, B. V., et al. (2009). Many experts, many audiences: Public engagement with science and informal science education. A CIASE Inquiry Group Report. Washington, DC: Center for Advancement of Informal Science Education, Part 3, 34-42.

North Carolina Museum of Life and Science. (1996). Sharing science with children: a survival guide for scientists and engineers.   Retrieved July, 2010, from http://www.noao.edu/education/ncmlssg.html

Evaluation Strategies - front-end, formative, and summative

Dierking, L. D., & Pollock, W. (1998). Getting started: What are you trying to find out? In Questioning assumptions: an introduction to front-end studies in museums (pp. 11-19). Washington, DC: Association of Science-Technology Centers.

Dierking, L. D., & Pollock, W. (1998). Common research methods: Questionnaires, interviews and focus groups. In Questioning assumptions: an introduction to front-end studies in museums (pp. 43-56). Washington, DC: Association of Science-Technology Centers.

National Research Council. (2009). Assessment. In Committee on Learning Science in Informal Environments, P. Bell, B. Lewenstein, A. W. Shouse & M. A. Feder (Eds.), Learning science in informal environments: People, places, and pursuits (pp. 54-90). Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

Rennie, L., & McClafferty, T. (1996). Handbook for formative evaluation of interactive exhibits. Perth, Australia: Science and Mathematics Education Centre, Curtin University of Technology.

Diamond, J. (1999). Interviews and questionnaires. In Practical evaluation guide: tools for museums and other informal educational settings (pp. 83-114). Walnut Creek, CA: Altamira Press.

Martín-Sempere, M. J., Garzón-García, B., & Rey-Rocha, J. (2008). Scientists' motivation to communicate science and technology to the public: surveying participants at the Madrid Science Fair. Public Understanding of Science, 17, 349-367.

Korn, R. (1999). Studying your visitors: Where to begin. In R. Korn (Ed.), Introduction to museum evaluation. Washington, DC: Committee on Audience Research and Evaluation, American Association of Museums.

Screven, C. G. (1999). What is formative evaluation? In R. Korn (Ed.), Introduction to museum evaluation. Washington, DC: Committee on Audience Research and Evaluation, American Association of Museums.

Rowe, G., Horlick-Jones, T., Walls, J., & Pidgeon, N. (2005). Difficulties in evaluating public engagement initiatives: reflections on an evaluation of the UK GM Nation? public debate about transgenic crops. Public Understanding of Science, 14(4), 331.

Explaining things well: discussion and practice

Rowan, K. E. (1990). Explaining difficult ideas: Spotting, tackling, and rendering them sensible for lay readers. English Quarterly.

Hutchison, C. B., & Padgett, B. L. (2007). How to create and use analogies effectively in the teaching of science concepts. Science Activities: Classroom Projects and Curriculum Ideas, 44(2), 69-72.

Olson, R. (2009). Don't be such a poor storyteller. In Don't be such a scientist: talking substance in an age of style (pp. 114-118). Washington, DC: Island Press.

Journalists, storytelling and you

Lewenstein, B. V. (2001). Who produces science information for the public? In J. H. Falk (Ed.), Free-choice science education: How we learn science outside of school (pp. 21-43). New York: Teachers College Press.

Hayes, R., & Grossman, D. (2006). Do you hear what you're saying? In A Scientist's guide to talking with the media: Practical advice from the union of concerned scientists (pp. 51-70). Piscataway, NJ: Rutgers University Press.

Hayes, R., & Grossman, D. (2006). Mastering the interview. In A Scientist's guide to talking with the media: Practical advice from the union of concerned scientists (pp. 71-84). Piscataway, NJ: Rutgers University Press.

Carrada, G. (2006). Communicating science: A scientist’s survival kit. Luxemburg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities.

Interacting with journalists: interviewing and being interviewed

Rubinkowski, L. (2000). Rules to interview by.   Retrieved July, 2010, from http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=4565

McAuliffe. (2002). The really great interview. Above the Fold, 2(8), 1.

Massé, M. H. (2008). Structure: Roadmap to successful storytelling.   Retrieved July, 2010, from http://jdwritingctr.iweb.bsu.edu/structure.html

Public participation science venues 

Schatz, D., & Russell, L. (2008). Face-to-face with scientists: Exploring the features of face-to-face interactions between scientists and public audiences. A report of the discussion and findings of the Portal to the Public Synthesis Meeting. Seattle, WA: Pacific Science Center.

Storksdieck, M., & Folk, J. H. (2004). Evaluating public understanding of research projects and initiatives. In D. Chittenden, G. Farmelo & B. V. Lewenstein (Eds.), Creating connections: museums and the public understanding of current research (pp. 87-108). Walnut Creek, CA: AltaMira Press.

Powell, M., & Lee Kleinman, D. (2008). Building citizen capacities for participation in nanotechnology decision-making: the democratic virtues of the consensus conference model. Public Understanding of Science, 17(3), 329-348.

Writing to be viewed: The medium of video and the science documentary

Olson, R. (2009). Don't be so cerebral. In Don't be such a scientist: talking substance in an age of style (pp. 17-48). Washington, DC: Island Press.

Olson, R. (2009). Filmmaking for scientists. In Don't be such a scientist: talking substance in an age of style (pp. 181-186). Washington, DC: Island Press.

Conan, N., & Olson, R. (2006). 'Flock of Dodos' and the debate over Intelligent Design. On Talk of the Nation. New York: National Public Radio. Retrieved July, 2010, from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5364401

Writing to be heard: The world of radio and podcasts

National Public Radio (n.d.). Radiolab. New York: National Public Radio. Retrieved July, 2010, from http://www.wnyc.org/shows/radiolab/
for example, access
Wheeler, J & Wheeler, S. (2009). A Very Lucky Wind. New York: National Public Radio. Retrieved July, 2010, from http://www.wnyc.org/shows/radiolab/episodes/2009/09/11/segments/133396

McComas, C. (2006). 20 ideas for a great podcast.   Retrieved July, 2010, from http://blog.frogbody.com/frogblog/2006/02/notes_to_self_a.html

Carter, M. (2008). How to write for news radio: Tips on writing scripts for broadcasting.   Retrieved July, 2010, from http://radio-journalism.suite101.com/article.cfm/writing_for_news_radio

Sreenivasan, S. (2002). Radio & online writing help.   Retrieved July, 2010, from http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=32&aid=3050

Science communication using the Internet

The Why Files (n.d.) The Science Behind the News. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Board of Regents.  Retrieved July, 2010, from www.whyfiles.org

Dunwoody, S. (2001). Studying users of the why files. Science Communication, 22(3), 274-282.

Boyle, A. (n.d.) Cosmic Log. MSNBC.com. Retrieved July, 2010, from http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/
also see generally
Science & Technology. MSNBC.com. Retrieved July, 2010, from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032118/