In early 2021, there were as many as five competing “immersive” Van Gogh shows in the U.S. One producer has since declared bankruptcy. Multiple attractions continue to compete for visitors in some cities, and there may be a shakeout in oversaturated markets. Nevertheless, new immersive venues and programs continue to be developed, most as commercial … Read more
In conjunction with its 50th anniversary, the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) issued a request for reflections on the biggest changes in the field and those we have helped foster. This post is a response to that call. Over the past four decades, I have witnessed major changes in the science center field … Read more
While I was at NSF, a program officer in the Division of Undergraduate Education (Myles Boylan) requested my input on a proposal from SENCER (Science Education for New Civic Engagements and Responsibilities). I was excited to see that this program was founded on aspects of informal learning, creating college courses based on civic engagement that … Read more
Informal learning can be defined in a variety of ways. George Tressel, a predecessor at NSF, described it based on the setting: “Most people, most of the time, learn most of what they know outside the classroom.” That shouldn’t be surprising, since most people spend only about 5% of their lifetime in school, as illustrated … Read more
