Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings

Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings is a critical unit within the Directorate for Education and Human Resources of the National Science Foundation. It supports fundamental and applied research on learning across the lifespan in diverse environments, from K-12 education to museums and community-based organizations. The division's work aims to enhance the impact of STEM education through rigorous scientific inquiry and the development of innovative resources and models.

Overview and Mission

The division's core mission is to advance knowledge about learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It funds research that investigates cognitive, affective, and social dimensions of learning across both formal settings like classrooms and universities and informal settings such as zoos, aquariums, and media. This research informs the design of effective educational practices, curricula, and policies, contributing to a more scientifically literate public and workforce. The division operates under the broader strategic goals of the National Science Foundation, aligning with priorities set by the America COMPETES Act.

Research Programs and Funding

The division administers several major research programs that provide competitive grants to investigators nationwide. Key programs include the Discovery Research K-12 program, which focuses on pre-college STEM education, and the Advancing Informal STEM Learning program, which supports learning outside traditional school environments. Other significant programs are Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers, Research and Evaluation on Education in Science and Engineering, and the Cyberlearning and Future Learning Technologies program. Funding is awarded to researchers at institutions like the University of California, Berkeley, Harvard University, and the Exploratorium, following a rigorous peer-review process modeled on NSF merit review criteria.

Key Initiatives and Projects

Notable initiatives have emerged from the division's portfolio, often involving large-scale collaborations. Projects like the Learning in Informal and Formal Environments Center, a partnership with the University of Washington and Stanford University, have been influential. The division has also supported the development of innovative curricula such as Project-Based Inquiry Science and research on equity in STEM, including work by scholars like Philip Bell and Angela Calabrese Barton. Other significant projects explore learning through citizen science platforms, educational games, and partnerships between institutions like the Museum of Science, Boston and WGBH Educational Foundation.

Impact and Findings

Research funded by the division has yielded substantial findings that shape educational theory and practice. Studies have advanced understanding of how people learn complex concepts like evolution and climate change, and have demonstrated the efficacy of model-based reasoning in classrooms. The work has informed national standards, including the Next Generation Science Standards, and has led to the creation of widely used resources like the STEM Teaching Tools practice briefs. Evaluations of informal learning projects have shown significant impacts on public engagement with science, influencing the practices of major institutions like the Smithsonian Institution and the American Museum of Natural History.

Organizational Structure and History

The division is structured within the Directorate for Education and Human Resources, reporting to the Assistant Director of that directorate. It is led by a Division Director and is typically organized around its core programmatic areas, each managed by program officers who are often noted researchers in fields like educational psychology or science education. The division's formation and evolution reflect the growing emphasis within the National Science Foundation on integrating education research with disciplinary science, a trend influenced by landmark reports like *Rising Above the Gathering Storm*. Its location in Alexandria, Virginia places it near other key federal science agencies like the National Institutes of Health.

Category:National Science Foundation Category:Education research organizations Category:Science education in the United States