The Center for Advancement of Informal Science Education (CAISE) provided resources and connections for educators, researchers, evaluators, and other stakeholders in order to build and advance the informal STEM education field. CAISE worked in cooperation with the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program, which funded new approaches to designing and understanding learning opportunities in informal education settings. CAISE was funded by a cooperative agreement between NSF and ASTC from 2007 until 2022.
What is “informal STEM education”?
- Botanical gardens and nature centers
- Cyberlearning and gaming contexts
- Events and festivals
- Making and tinkering spaces
- Media (TV, radio, film, social)
- National, state, and local parks
- Public libraries
- Public participation in scientific research programs
- Science and technology centers and museums
- Youth, community, and out-of-school time programs
- Zoos and aquariums
Access a wealth of research and evaluation resources
CAISE established and managed InformalScience.org, a free collection of 8,000+ resources that includes project descriptions, research products, and evaluation reports from evidence-based informal STEM learning work supported by Federal, local, and private funders. You can still access these resources, which are now managed by The Reimagining Equity and Values in Informal STEM Education (REVISE) Center.
Key CAISE resources
- Project Planner for ISE and Science Communication. Got an idea for a research project? This tool can help you develop it! Find key resources, explore project examples, and identify possible sources for funding.
- Broadening Participation Toolkit. Interested in supporting broadening participation in STEM? These resources are designed for professionals committed to engaging in conversation and reflection about broadening the perspectives represented in STEM.
- NSF AISL Proposal Development Resources. Do you want to learn more about the NSF AISL program? Access recorded webinars and presentations from NSF Program Officers, as well as other helpful resources.
- What is STEM Identity, Interest, and Engagement? Does your work include designing for, measuring, or thinking about these concepts? Explore this interview series with 35 experts who share their projects, perspectives, resources, and advice.
- Science Communication, Public Engagement, and Outreach. Key readings, networks, and conferences for scientists and other STEM professionals who want to engage the public.
About the CAISE team
Established in 2007, CAISE included principal investigator and project director, Jamie Bell, along with core staff housed at ASTC. Co–principal investigators have included Kevin Crowley, of the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Education; Cecilia Garibay of the Chicago-based audience research firm, Garibay Group; Martin Storksdieck of Oregon State University’s STEM Research Center; Rabiah Mayas, currently Program Director at the National Science Foundation; Bronwyn Bevan, currently Vice President for Research at the Wallace Foundation; Kirsten Ellenbogen, currently President & CEO of the Great Lakes Science Center; Sue Ellen McCann former Executive in Charge, Science and Digital Video, KQED; John Falk, Founder and Senior Fellow at the Institute for Learning innovation; and the late Alan Friedman, former Director of the New York Hall of Science and the Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley.