Relevance in Science and Environmental Education: A Case Study of a California Museum

• In Event: 28.035 - Diverse Learning and Computational Spaces Across STEM Context

Abstract

Drawing on theories of culturally relevant pedagogy and sense of place, I describe the ways that a Northern California makes science an environmental education relevant to its local audience. Using data from an interview with a curator, participant observation of exhibits, photography, field notes and data from the museum website, I report findings that show how the museum connects science and environmental topics to issues of local and contemporary social significance such as immigration, water rights, and marijuana policy in California. In the discussion, I describe how these approaches might be influential for curriculum development in K-12 science and environmental education classes.

Author

• Catherine Lemmi, California State University - Chico