Museums and Professional Development: A Unique Partnership

• In Event: 69.021 - Research in Informal Learning Environments

Abstract

The rich portrayal of the natural world available in many museums provides a unique and promising context for content-focused teacher professional development. A randomized block design study of Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) Get Re-energized (GRE) education module for teachers demonstrated significant differences in teachers’ knowledge. Students in GRE teachers’ classrooms also had significantly higher scores on a test of energy knowledge and during a museum field trip demonstrated greater ability to apply that knowledge in reference to museum exhibits than students from non-GRE teachers’ classrooms. The MSI GRE module provides a template for quality science teacher professional development with benefits for both teachers and their students.

Authors

• Richard T. Houang, Michigan State University

• William H. Schmidt, Michigan State University

• Leland S. Cogan, Michigan State University

• Day W Greenberg, Michigan State University