School site to museum floor: how informal science institutions work with schools

Abstract

Two research studies sponsored by CILS investigated the programmes ISIs currently provide to support K-12 science education, particularly in the area of teacher professional development (PD). The first study was a large-scale survey with 475 ISIs responding about the programmes they offer schools and teachers beyond one-day field trips. A large majority of ISIs (73%) reported having one or more of these programmes, with more than half (59%) providing one or more forms of teacher PD. ISIs also reported a tendency for their programmes to be under-subscribed, and said funding was the biggest barrier to their ability to provide these programmes.