Informal science education supports people of all ages and walks of life in exploring science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The St. Louis Science Center, in collaboration with the City College of New York and the Science Museum of Minnesota, are combining their considerable expertise with youth programs to create new opportunities for after-school STEM learning.
A three-year nationwide study found that a visit to a zoo or aquarium in North America had a measurable impact on the conservation attitudes and understanding of adult visitors. The study, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) (DRL-0205843) and developed through partnerships with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Institute for Learning Innovation (ILI), and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, provides additional evidence for a growing body of research that shows that informal science education experiences support the public’s science understanding and, at least in the case of zoos and aquariums, enhance the public’s appreciation for and commitment to animal conservation.
