Browse short synopses of current peer-reviewed research relevant to informal science education (ISE). Download synthesis papers addressing hot topics in ISE. Share what's interesting to you by putting it on your public bookshelf.


  • Strong pre-college STEM experiences linked to later notable achievements in STEM

    Wai, J., Lubinski, D., Benbow, C.P. & Steiger, J.H. (2010). Accomplishment in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and its relation to STEM educational dose: A 25-year longitudinal study. Journal of Educational Psychology, 102(4), 860–871.

    This research reports on the results of two studies which found that mathematically talented students who had had greater exposure to accelerated, enriched, and individualized STEM learning opportunities achieved more significant STEM accomplishments later in life than their matched counterparts. Notable accomplishments were designated as achieving STEM careers, STEM PhDs, STEM tenure, STEM publications, and STEM patents. The researchers found this relationship to hold true even when controlling for high levels of motivation. Furthermore, the research found that experiences that were more individualized (such as participating in STEM contests or working on inventions, as opposed to attending Advanced Placement (AP) courses) had a greater correlation with notable STEM accomplishments. An important implication from these findings for ISE educators is the need to ensure that students have access to a wide spectrum of enriching and accelerated learning opportunities, and, in particular, that opportunities include those that are individualized.


    afterschool/out-of-school-time, career, interest, motivation, youth engagement


    Interest, Identity, Culture, and LearningRelating Formal and Informal Learning

  • Designing practical work to reduce cognitive load and increase learning

    Scharfenberg, F.-J. & Bogner, F. X. (2010). Instructional efficiency of changing cognitive load in an out-of-school laboratory. International Journal of Science Education, 32(6), 829–844.

    The authors claim that if the students are given an overdose of information, their memories become ‘overloaded’; for example, engaging in an activity in a professional science laboratory. To counter this negative impact, the study here suggests ways to lessen the ‘cognitive overload’ and inform instructional design.


    scientific practices, teaching


    Engaging Learners with Scientific PracticesInterest, Identity, Culture, and Learning


INTEREST, IDENTITY, CULTURE, and LEARNING
COMMUNICATING CLIMATE CHANGE
TEACHING and LEARNING in INFORMAL SETTINGS
EXPANDING ACCESS TO NON-DOMINANT POPULATIONS
RELATING FORMAL and INFORMAL LEARNING
ENGAGING LEARNERS with SCIENTIFIC PRACTICES