CC-PES Phase 2 Report

The Co-Created Public Engagement with Science Project (CC-PES) led by the Museum of Science seeks to build capacity among museums and other informal science education (ISE) institutions to develop and implement co-created public engagement with science activities. The heart of the CC-PES model is involving community and civic representatives as co-creators of dialog programs that address important socio-scientific questions, and then finding a way to turn community input into action.

In Phase 2 of the project, the Museum of Life and Science (MLS) formed a partnership with Families Moving Forward (FMF) - an organization serving families experiencing homelessness in Durham. Neighborhood Improvement Services of Durham served as the civic partner, in alignment with the CC-PES model. MLS and FMF went beyond the basic requirements of the CC-PES model and developed a strong and authentic relationship, based on ongoing collaborations and a strong commitment to serving FMF audiences. Neighborhood Improvement Services provided expertise on housing policy and possibilities in Durham, leading eventually to a well-developed forum with hands-on activities that allowed participants to dive into housing issues and discuss their own related life experiences. The team also found multiple ways to interpret the action step of the CC-PES model, creating community resources on housing, speaking to elected officials, and holding book readings on the topic of homelessness.

The Co-Created Public Engagement with Science Project (CC-PES) led by the Museum of Science seeks to build capacity among museums and other informal science education (ISE) institutions to develop and implement co-created public engagement with science activities. The heart of the CC-PES model is involving community and civic representatives as co-creators of dialog programs that address important socio-scientific questions, and then finding a way to turn community input into action. This report summarizes lessons learned through ongoing process interviews with members of the project teams.