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  • Written by Jill Zarestky, Assistant Professor of Education, Colorado State University
4 unexpected places where adults can learn science

Modern society benefits when people understand science concepts. This knowledge helps explain how cryptocurrency works, why climate change is happening or how the coronavirus is transmitted from person to person.

Yet the average American spends less than 5%[1] of their lifetime in classrooms learning about such topics. So, besides school, where else can people go to study and explore science?

Museums, zoos and libraries are certainly a great start. As a researcher of adult STEM education[2], I study less conventional ways[3] for people of all ages to learn and participate in science[4].

Here are four alternative venues where the general public can enjoy nature, engage in hands-on science learning and get a behind-the-scenes look at scientific research in action.

1. National parks

Visitors to national parks dramatically increased[5] over the past two years as the pandemic inspired people to go outside and enjoy nature more regularly. However, people often don’t realize that many parks offer lecture series, nature walks and interactive science learning opportunities for those interested in adding an extra layer of scientific and environmental knowledge to their outdoor experience.

For example, Grand Canyon National Park[6] in Arizona offers Ranger Programs[7] that teach the public about ongoing changes to the canyon from weathering and erosion. Great Smoky Mountains National Park[8], which spans Tennessee and North Carolina, offers its own education programming but also partners with local groups[9] to offer guided nature hikes or trail-building volunteer opportunities.

For those who don’t wish to venture into the great outdoors, the National Parks Service has a variety of online resources, such as virtual park visits[10] and webcams[11] that present real-time views of weather, dramatic scenery, wildlife and more.

Find your nearest national park here[12].

An alligator rests near visitors on a trail through tropical wetlands
Many national parks offer nature walks, lecture series and other science activities. Leila Macor/AFP via Getty Images[13]

2. University extension programs

Land-grant universities[14] are charged with translating and delivering scientific research to the public and exist in every U.S. state and territory[15].

They often do this through what’s called “extension” programs. Master Gardener[16] is a popular one, but there are many unique local options, too. For example, Colorado State University[17] offers a Native Bee Watch[18] program that trains volunteers to identify and monitor bees[19] in their backyards or local natural areas. An extension program at University of Minnesota[20] teaches volunteers how to detect aquatic invasive species[21] in local rivers and lakes.

3. Biological field stations

Biological field stations[22] are usually associated with universities or other research institutions. While scientific and environmental research is the primary focus, many field stations provide programs for adult learners[23], as well as opportunities to interact directly with scientists[24].

Field stations tend to be in more rural areas, where there are fewer zoos, museums, aquariums and other science-learning venues[25]. Yet nearly 80%[26] of the U.S. population lives within an hour’s drive of a biological field station. This map[27] can help you identify one near you.

The W.K. Kellogg Biological Station[28] in Michigan has a bird sanctuary that offers adult courses[29] on botany, ornithology and nature drawing, as well as volunteer opportunities. There’s also a dairy center that hosts open-house events[30] where visitors can learn about cutting-edge dairy management and research.

For learners who want to get involved in the scientific process, engage in a longer-term experience or participate as a family[31], Mohunk Preserve[32] in upstate New York enlists volunteers[33] to monitor bird activity and habitats, record the seasonal changes in plants and engage in other activities.

Woman holds out hands to catch a sack of oysters
Biologists and volunteers in Brooklyn, New York, plant an oyster reef to clean a local waterway. Don Emmert/AFP via Getty Images[34]

4. Marine labs

Marine laboratories[35] are similar to biological field stations but are typically located on coasts or other water bodies.

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute[36] in Florida allows visitors to tour its research facilities and equipment, including an up-close view of its underwater vehicle[37]. It also offers citizen science programs and a weekly lecture series[38] on all things related to ocean science.

In Alaska, the Behind the Scenes[39] program provides adults a look at the skills and science of running the Sitka Sound Science Center[40], like monitoring the genetic interaction of wild and hatchery salmon. Its feature event, the Sitka WhaleFest[41], includes wildlife cruises guided by scientists, science lectures and storytelling. For learners worldwide, the center hosts a podcast[42] and offers recorded lessons on how to say the names[43] of local animals in Tlingit, the language of the Sitka tribe.

As people continue to reap the mental and physical benefits[44] of spending more time outdoors, I believe it’s important to mitigate any harm this extra activity may have on the environment[45]. These four venues can help anyone learn more about the science behind natural spaces and also how to help preserve them.

[Get our best science, health and technology stories. Sign up for The Conversation’s science newsletter[46].]

References

  1. ^ less than 5% (www.jstor.org)
  2. ^ researcher of adult STEM education (www.chhs.colostate.edu)
  3. ^ less conventional ways (doi.org)
  4. ^ participate in science (doi.org)
  5. ^ dramatically increased (www.nytimes.com)
  6. ^ Grand Canyon National Park (www.nps.gov)
  7. ^ Ranger Programs (www.nps.gov)
  8. ^ Great Smoky Mountains National Park (www.nps.gov)
  9. ^ partners with local groups (www.nps.gov)
  10. ^ virtual park visits (www.nps.gov)
  11. ^ webcams (www.nps.gov)
  12. ^ here (www.nps.gov)
  13. ^ Leila Macor/AFP via Getty Images (www.gettyimages.com)
  14. ^ Land-grant universities (www.aplu.org)
  15. ^ every U.S. state and territory (nifa.usda.gov)
  16. ^ Master Gardener (mastergardener.extension.org)
  17. ^ Colorado State University (extension.colostate.edu)
  18. ^ Native Bee Watch (arapahoe.extension.colostate.edu)
  19. ^ trains volunteers to identify and monitor bees (doi.org)
  20. ^ University of Minnesota (extension.umn.edu)
  21. ^ aquatic invasive species (extension.umn.edu)
  22. ^ Biological field stations (www.obfs.org)
  23. ^ programs for adult learners (doi.org)
  24. ^ interact directly with scientists (doi.org)
  25. ^ fewer zoos, museums, aquariums and other science-learning venues (doi.org)
  26. ^ 80% (doi.org)
  27. ^ This map (fieldstationoutreach.info)
  28. ^ W.K. Kellogg Biological Station (www.kbs.msu.edu)
  29. ^ adult courses (birdsanctuary.kbs.msu.edu)
  30. ^ open-house events (farm.kbs.msu.edu)
  31. ^ participate as a family (www.mohonkpreserve.org)
  32. ^ Mohunk Preserve (www.mohonkpreserve.org)
  33. ^ enlists volunteers (www.volgistics.com)
  34. ^ Don Emmert/AFP via Getty Images (www.gettyimages.com)
  35. ^ Marine laboratories (www.naml.org)
  36. ^ Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (www.fau.edu)
  37. ^ underwater vehicle (www.fau.edu)
  38. ^ weekly lecture series (www.fau.edu)
  39. ^ Behind the Scenes (sitkascience.org)
  40. ^ Sitka Sound Science Center (sitkascience.org)
  41. ^ Sitka WhaleFest (sitkawhalefest.org)
  42. ^ podcast (sitkascience.org)
  43. ^ say the names (sitkascience.org)
  44. ^ mental and physical benefits (www.nature.com)
  45. ^ extra activity may have on the environment (www.nationalgeographic.com)
  46. ^ Sign up for The Conversation’s science newsletter (theconversation.com)

Authors: Jill Zarestky, Assistant Professor of Education, Colorado State University

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