Policy

Museum Facade DuskCentral Park West The Museum facade from Central Park West.
© AMNH/D. Finnin

The Museum’s aim, in conducting research and evaluation, is to be able to contribute to policy discussions, deliberations and decision-making through conducting and sharing our systematic, rigorous research on science teaching and learning. Our research on how children and youth learn in the Museum, and in contexts outside of the school setting; on teachers’ ambitious science teaching; on how visitors learn in scientific rich institutions like ours; on how to maintain long term partnerships with schools and districts; is designed to help inform policies and practices at the city, state and federal level. 

Recent policy papers and initiatives include:

 

Policy National Policy: Congressional Testimony Speaking before the House Committee on Science and Technology in 2010, Museum President Ellen V. Futter testified about the importance... Policy National Science Board: A National Action Plan for Addressing the Critical Needs of the STEM Education System The Museum represented informal science institutions in a 2007 commission to develop a road map for measurable improvements in the... Policy Informal Science Education Policy: Issues and Opportunities The Museum participated in this 2010 report produced by CAISE that to inventoried and commented on policies that affect the impact... Policy Making Science Matter: Collaborations between Informal Science Education Organizations and Schools This report from CAISE explores relationships between formal and informal settings in science education.