Multiple approaches to using informal science education contexts to prepare informal and formal science educators

Abstract

In this chapter, we describe four U.S.-based science educator preparation initiatives that transcended typical connections between informal and formal educator preparation. We discuss lessons learned related to preparing science educators to collaborate productively toward current reform-based science education goals. The first initiative was a project that engaged formal teacher candidates in an informal science education internship. The second was a science methods course that infused elements of informal science education and encouraged the use of informal science education resources. The third was a graduate course designed to prepare informal science educators and classroom teachers to make connections between informal science education contexts and K-12 classrooms. The final initiative was a university collaboration with local informal science education contexts, designed to introduce prospective environmental educators to research, theory, and practice in informal science education. We discuss these initiatives in light of research on the preparation of science educators in informal science education contexts, and in light of reform-based science literacy goals, and conclude with implications relevant to the preparation of collaborative informal and formal science educators.