The Informal Science Education Landscape: A Preliminary Investigation

This research study was designed to explore and document the current “landscape” of the informal science education community. The authors outline the theoretical framework used to approach their research, research goals and design, methods, results, and conclusions and recommendations. Based on the authors' preliminary and exploratory investigation, they argue that currently the ISE community does not function as an effective community of practice. However, many of the pieces that are necessary for ISE to become a true community of practice are currently in place. The report raises the question of why these practices are currently not happening, what has prevented ISE from spontaneously becoming an effective community of practice. The answer to this question has important strategic implications.