New Space Science Institute Center expands scope of education programs
The Space Science Institute recently launched the National Center for Interactive Learning (NCIL), which will operate within the SSI organization. NCIL will promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning and literacy. SSI’s Executive Director, Dr. Paul Dusenbery, will run the new center.
According to Dusenbery, NCIL will continue many of the precedents established by SSI’s former Education and Public Outreach department, such as forging creative collaborations with scientists and educators to bring the excitement and knowledge of scientific discoveries to audiences across the country.
“The new center will build on that foundation,” says Dusenbery. “But forming NCIL now allows us to move from a space science focus to include other STEM topics, such as earth science and biology, which are particularly relevant to many of our nation’s current challenges and to the science literacy of our citizens.”
Another cornerstone of NCIL’s mission will be its commitment to evaluating the impacts of its education programs on audiences and conducting education research that could advance the field of science education.
NCIL’s goals are to:
- Develop education programs across STEM domains
- Develop pilot programs that bridge formal and informal education
- Reach underserved populations and new audiences
- Conduct education research and disseminate the results broadly
- Use social media to expand dissemination, impacts, and visibility
- Establish an incubator program for innovative education ideas
For more information about NCIL, please contact Paul Dusenbery, 720-975-5822 or dusenbery@spacescience.org.
