Constructing images of science: people, technologies, and practices

摘要

Project SEARCH (Science Education and Research for CHildren) is an outreach program designed to bring the science resources of a large research university to classrooms and community centers. University science students share activities, materials, and content expertise with local classrooms and after-school programs. Using observations, surveys, and interviews, we examined the experiences of these students as teachers and role models for the children, with a particular focus on after-school programs. We found that there was often a tension between the students' notions of formal science learning, and the demands of the after-school settings for lively and entertaining activities. But community agencies and schools uniformly valued the enthusiasm and the resources provided by the SEARCH students. Children were engaged in the activities and looked forward to the students' visits. Most importantly, they saw the students as positive and diverse models for the role of scientist. The SEARCH experience highlights both the value of providing diverse and challenging experiences for children, and the need for dialog and reflection on those experiences.