Introduction to Evaluation and Visitor Studies

New England Museum Association presents this workshop: Introduction to Evaluation and Visitor Studies.
This workshop is designed to give you the basics of evaluation techniques and visitor studies, so that you can “do it yourself,” even on a shoe-string budget. Not many museums can afford their own evaluation team, so take advantage of learning from the pros at the Museum of Science! They will discuss the role of evaluation in museums as well as share the nuts and bolts of conducting evaluations at your own institution.

When: Friday, May 14, 2010, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Museum of Science, Boston, MA (parking is free!)
Register online at www.nemanet.org/workshops/10adminworkshop.htm
Questions? Call NEMA, 781-641-0013.
This workshop is just one of the many that are being offered this spring. Click here for a complete list.

Job Opportunity – Summer Programs Educator, VA

The Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Virginia, housed at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in Gloucester Point, VA seeks a full-time Summer Programs Educator.  This temporary staff person (June through August 2010) is responsible for supporting five summer camp programs for students in 1^st-8^th grade, including materials coordination, assisting with camp lab and field programs, and supporting other education programs.  For more information and to submit a cover letter and resume, contact Sarah McGuire, Education Coordinator (mcguire@vims.edu).   Deadline for applications is 3/31/10.

Ocean Observing Stories – Newest Addition

As an informal educator, Katie Gardner works hard to help students understand how scientists observe and monitor the ocean.  She even replicates many of the common problems scientists run into in the field, so students can appreciate how difficult it is.  Even still, she wonders whether the path ahead to engaging students in ocean observing systems is daunting.

Read the latest addition to COSEE-Networked Ocean World’s Ocean Observing Stories :

The Challenge of Understanding Measurements

NASA Funding Opportunity for Informal Education Institutions

NASA has announced a competitive funding opportunity for informal education that could result in the award of grants or cooperative agreements to several of the nation’s science centers, museums and planetariums. Approximately $6 million is available for new awards.  Proposals for the Competitive Program for Science Museums and Planetariums are expected to use NASA resources to enhance informal education programs related to space exploration, aeronautics, space science, Earth science or microgravity. Full proposals are due Sept. 10.  Proposals for the program are expected to encourage life-long engagement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and focus on NASA’s contributions to these disciplines.  NASA will accept proposals from institutions of informal education that are science museums or planetariums in the United States or its territories. NASA centers, federal agencies, federally funded research and development centers, education-related companies, and other institutions and individuals may apply through partnership with a qualifying lead organization.  For detailed information about the opportunity, click on “Open Solicitations” and look for Competitive Program for Science Museums and Planetariums (CP4SMP) or solicitation number NNH09ZNE005N at: http://nspires.nasaprs.com