INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING INNOVATION RECEIVES 4 NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION GRANT AWARDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NOV 17, 2020

BEAVERTON, OREGON-  The Institute for Learning Innovation (ILI) is pleased to announce that the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded funding to four very important research projects that are centered around free-choice learning and are designed to expand access, equity, and inclusion for learners of all ages.

Science Museum Futures is a conference grant designed to convene a year-long conversation about relevancy and sustainability with small and medium-sized science museums and reflects ILI’s long-standing dedication to supporting free-choice learning institutions.

Cultivating Science will explore how urban gardeners in the San Francisco Bay area access STEM learning resources to support their gardening interest. A goal of this project is to better understand how to support the participation of historically underrepresented populations in free-choice STEM activities (like gardening) and contribute to greater lifelong STEM learning.

Building Capacity was funded to investigate the professional development required across museum departments to allow for the construction of truly inclusive learning opportunities for the ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) community. This project supports our mission and commitment to increasing access to valuable science learning opportunities for all learners.

Learning Solutions is a project designed to support the “just in time” urgent learning that changemakers and those working on important societal problems may find themselves faced with when attempting to overcome barriers to success.

“To say we were thrilled to receive word that not one, but all four of these ground-breaking projects were funded, is an understatement. The NSF’s support of this work is a validation of the importance of expanding understanding and implementation of opportunities for lifelong, free-choice learning,” said Director Dr. John H. Falk.

The Institute for Learning Innovation is a virtual, non-profit organization working to promote lifelong learning, outside the classroom.

For further information on these projects visit the Institute for Learning Innovation online at www.instituteforlearninginnovation.org or contact Communications Director, Mrs. Stacey Sheehan, at (716) 246- 2049 or stacey.sheehan@freechoicelearning.org

Posted Nov 17, 2020