Science Together: Co-Creating Meaningful Informal Science Education Experiences Between a Science Center and a Temporary Homeless Shelter – A Case Study

ABSTRACT

Homeless families are a vulnerable population not often engaged with directly by science centers. In 2019, the Museum of Life and Science formalized and strengthened a partnership with Families Moving Forward, the largest temporary homeless shelter serving families in Durham County, North Carolina. This partnership aimed to engage families in a co-creation process of understanding needs, co-developing projects, and delivering based on mutual interests between stakeholders. Along the way, lessons learned included designing equitable active listening opportunities, honest and transparent assessments of needs and assets, learning how to meet a new audience where they were, and learning how to be inclusive and accessible to an audience who is rarely designed with or for in museum settings.

KEYWORDS:

• Co-creation
• homelessness
• science
• partnership
• listening

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Orenstein, “Homeless? Unhoused? Unsheltered?”

2 Kidd, “Youth Homelessness and Social Stigma.”

3 Merritt, “The Museum Sacrifice Measure.”

4 Rende et al., “The Privilege of Low Pay”

5 Zimmerman, “Inclusive Investment Starts with Equitable Community Engagement.”

6 Grajo et al., “Effectiveness of a Functional Literacy Program.”

7 Walker-Dalhouse and Risko, “Homelessness, Poverty, and Children’s Literacy Development.”

8 Wolf et al., “Patients’ Shame and Attitudes Toward Discussing.”

9 CAST, “Universal Design for Learning Guidelines.”

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Max Cawley

Max Cawley is Director of Climate Research and Engagement with Science at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, North Carolina.

Tasha Melvin

Tasha Melvin is Director of Partnerships for Families Moving Forward in Durham, North Carolina.

Jenna Gant

Jenna Gant is the Rape Prevention Education Coordinator at Orange County Rape Crisis Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. They are formerly the Associate Program Manager for Community Programs at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, North Carolina.

Stepheny Hine

Stepheny Hine is the Associate Program Manager for School and Community Programs at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, North Carolina.

Ashley Robbins

Ashley Robbins was an Education Fellow at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, North Carolina.

Peregrine Bratschi

Peregrine Bratschi is the Associate Program Manager for STEM Equity at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, North Carolina.

Imani Vincent

Imani Vincent is an Education Fellow at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, North Carolina. She was formerly the Education Specialist for Families Moving Forward in Durham, North Carolina.