Outreach Coordinator & Informal Educator Section

Jaclyn Reeves-Pepin, Interim Coordinator
NABT
1313 Dolley Madison Blvd
Suite 402
McLean, VA 22010
Phone: 888/501-NABT x 102 (w)
E-mail: jreevespepin@nabt.org

Every year, thousands of students and teachers benefit from unique learning opportunities designed by “teachers without classrooms.” At zoos and museums, science centers and field stations, and universities and scientific societies, outreach coordinators and informal educators complement traditional learning environments, enhance learning, engage students and support teachers. To better serve this community of biology educators, NABT has created its new Outreach Coordinator & Informal Educator Member Section.

This year, the OCIE Section kicked off activities with two special events at the NABT Professional Development Conference in Denver. On Wednesday, November 11th, participants attended a session focused on funding opportunities for outreach/informal education programs. NABT would like to thank Dr. David Hanych, Program Director, Division of Research on Learning, National Science Foundation and Dr. L. Tony Beck, Program Officer, Division for Clinical Research Resources, National Center for Research Resources/NIH, for their presentations.

We would also like to thank Dr. Jay Dubner, Program Coordinator, Summer Research Program for Science Teachers, Columbia University, for the review of his article, Teachers’ Participation in Research Programs Improves Their Students Achievements in Science (Science, 440, 326, (2009)).

On Thursday, November 12th, the OCIE Section hosted a poster session featuring over 25 entries that highlighted programs throughout the nation. The NABT BioBlog features posts from the session, and please visit 2009 OCIE Poster Session to download samples of the posters.

The OCIE Section also help a business meeting in Denver, and minutes from that meeting are available at 2009 OCIE Meeting. As this member section grows and formalizes, we want to learn more about you, your programs, and how you would like to help with this initiative. Please share your information and opinions by taking a brief survey at OCIE Leadership Survey. Your feedback is important, so take the survey today!

2009 sponsorship support for the Outreach Coordinator & Informal Educator Section was provided by