Bringing the Universe to the Street: A Preliminary Look at Informal Learning Implications for a Large-Scale Non-traditional Science Outreach Project

April 28th, 2010 | RESEARCH

"From Earth to the Universe" (FETTU) is a collection of astronomical images that showcase some of the most popular, current views of our Universe. The images, representing the wide variety of astronomical objects known to exist, have so far been exhibited in about 500 locations throughout the world as part of the International Year of Astronomy. In the United States, over 40 FETTU exhibits have occurred in 25 states in such locations as libraries, airports, nature centers, parks and college campuses. Based on preliminary evaluations currently underway, this project – a large-scale, worldwide astronomy outreach in non-traditional locations – has unique opportunities and implications for informal science learning. We present some early findings from the observational section of the exhibit’s formal evaluation in five selected locations in the U.S. and U.K., including emphasis on inter-organizational networking, visitor attention and participant make-up as well as generative aspects of the exhibit.

Document

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Team Members

Kimberly Arcand, Author, NASA
Megan Watzke, Author, NASA

Citation

Publication: Journal of Science Communication
Volume: 9
Number: 2
Page(s): 13

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Tags

Audience: General Public | Museum | ISE Professionals
Discipline: Education and learning science | Space science
Resource Type: Peer-reviewed article | Research Products
Environment Type: Community Outreach Programs | Exhibitions | Library Exhibits | Parks | Outdoor | Garden Exhibits | Public Programs