Informal science learning is valuable in the development of students' cognitive and affective skills which also influences the development of an interest in science. Successful utilisation of informal learning settings into teaching and learning requires highly qualified teachers. This study explored how engagement in a semester-long course…

This report evaluates the Institute of Museum and Library Services' (IMLS) four grant programs specifically designed to support library and museum services in Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian (Kanaka Maoli) communities. Conducted by a combination of Kituwah Services, LLC (Kituwah Services), ICF, and IMLS, the evaluation examined…

This post-professional development evaluation study (based on in-depth interviews) assessed the experience of ten educators who had participated one year earlier in workshops about the use of museum digital resources through the Smithsonian Learning Lab (SLL) for curricula development. The project focused on creating SLL collections to integrate…

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) often have difficulty demonstrating appropriate communication, social skills, behavior, and sensory responses; thus, it can be challenging for families, particularly those in rural areas, to find suitable community-based opportunities. The Au-some Evenings program was developed at a local children's…

In September 2015, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) a grant to investigate the early impacts of the National Digital Stewardship Residency (NDSR) programs, in order to inform subsequent development of similar programs by others with a vested interest in building…

The Museum Education Association of New Zealand (MEANZ) and the National Services Te Paerangi (NSTP) set up a pilot mentoring programme for museum educators in New Zealand. The overall goals for the programme were to: (1) facilitate professional relationships between museum educators who are in need of information and assistance and those who can…

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's museums. Museums for America (MFA) is the largest IMLS grant program for museums; it supports institutions by investing in high-priority, high-value activities that are clearly linked to the institution's strategic plan and enhance its value to…

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) helps museums and libraries preserve our cultural heritage, enhance learning and innovation, and develop staff capacities to provide the best in service to our communities. IMLS has a long-standing commitment to funding grants and sponsoring research on the subject of how both preschool and…

This report shares the findings from a nineteen-month study of The Big Read, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest, designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. Piloted in early 2006 and launched nationwide later that year, The Big…

This paper describes a project that underscores the critical role of this nation's museums and libraries in helping citizens build such 21st century skills as information, communications and technology literacy, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, civic literacy, and global awareness. Recognizing that every individual requires these…

This report summarizes findings from the Academy for Educational Development's (AED's) evaluation of After-School Math PLUS (ASM+). This program was designed to help students find the math in everyday experiences and create awareness about the importance of math skills for future career options. The evaluation was conducted by AED's Center for…

This report presents an evaluation of the HealthWorks! Kids' Museum, an urban education center designed to help children in grades preK-8 understand and make good choices about healthy living and lifestyle choices. It includes an exhibit floor and interactive classroom areas with a program highlighting how body systems work; a game challenging the…

The professional continuing education opportunities offered by the Museums Association of Saskatchewan (MAS), Canada to museum staff throughout Saskatchewan were evaluated. Data were collected from public records/documents, interviews with 15 MAS staff/board members, and three surveys of a select group of professional staff of Saskatchewan's…

The Archaeology and African Cultures program was a collaborative effort among the New York City Public Schools' Division of Curriculum and Instruction and four New York City museums. The program was designed to provide teachers of the gifted and talented with a rigourous series of seminars in the field of archaeology as well as on each museum's…

This report provides a progress report on the Art and Technology Integration Project (ATI), a partnership of the Westside and Grand Island Public Schools, the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American Art (NMAA), and the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). The ATI project focuses on long-range assessment of the integration of the…