Learning Science in Everyday Life

Educational researchers, scholars, theoreticians, and practitioners define, interpret, and study out-of school science education in various ways. Some use the term informal, while others prefer free-choice, outdoor education, everyday learning or lifelong learning. Preferences reflect theory, settings and practice, but regardless of the terminology, all researchers who are engaged in learning that occurs outside of schools are convinced that a wide range of environments—structured and unstructured—afford various types of engagement and learning. Learning science in such environments has received much attention in the past two decades with increased focus for school-aged children on the role of connecting in-school and out-of-school time. In addition to children though, researchers and practitioners also investigate and support the learning of families, older youth and adults.