Professional Pathways in Informal STEM Learning: Study of Organizational Users

This visual report, produced by the STEM Research Center at Oregon State University, summarizes the results of a study to understand how ISL organizations could use newly developed professional learning tools.

This study was part of a broader project, Professional Pathways in Informal STEM Learning (ISL), which supports professional learning for anyone who works in the ISL field. Science and technology centers and museums, natural history museums, children’s museums, zoos, aquariums, nature centers, botanical gardens, planetariums, and other types of museums and cultural organizations play a vital role in stimulating public interest and engagement in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Each year, hundreds of millions of people explore and learn about STEM topics through exhibits, educational programs, and community events. The success of those experiences depends on a skilled and knowledgeable ISL professional workforce.

The study engaged individuals at different kinds of ISL organizations. Participants were asked to review the Pathways Framework and associated tools and then participate in an interview. Findings indicate that the Framework and associated tools are comprehensive, valuable, relevant, and ready to implement. Respondents discussed a variety of specific potential uses for the tools, described in the report.