This National Science Foundation funded project is innovative in researching the impact of a fully participatory approach to the performing arts on learning of science concepts and environmental decision- making. EASEL focuses on how and why art-science-education collaborations yield impactful informal science learning, and meets a need for evidence-based, innovative approaches to education for real-world problem solving about adaptation, environmental change, and environmental decision-making. Combining performing arts-based and community participatory approaches will build knowledge about how best to help communities learn about environmental change science and apply scientific knowledge to environmental decision-making.
What We Do
This two year Pilots and Feasibility Studies project will build the foundation for an AISL Research in Service to Practice project studying two overarching research questions: (1) What are the essential elements of artist-scientist-educator (A-S-E) collaborations that engender informal learning about adaptation and decision-making in a changing environment? (2) What is the impact of A-S-E designed participatory performing arts-based informal science learning (ISL) on student participants' learning about the process of environmental adaptation and environmental decision-making?
Collaboration
This project is focused on developing methods for facilitating and assessing collaboration between artists, scientists, and educators partnering in designing an informal science learning environment
Participatory Learning Design
The project will pilot and refine approaches for engaging Artist-Scientist-Educator teams with community members for participatory informal science learning that focuses on adaptation to environmental change and decision-making.
Environmental Decision-making
The project is designed to pilot and refine methods to measure the outcomes for community participants on knowledge about environmental change and its application to problems in their everyday lives.
Contact
Dr. Amy Lesen
Professor of Environmental Leadership and Participatory Change
Antioch University
504-407-1549
