Collaboration + Good Coffee = Connected Science Learning Success

Graphical Abstract

A collaboration between two North Carolina state agencies allows in-school and out-of-school educators to share knowledge, engage students in in-school and out-of-school opportunities, and develop learning communities to advance science education in the state.

Abstract

The K–12 Science Section of the Division of K–12 Curriculum and Instruction in the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) has a long history of working with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs. Both NCDPI and the Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs knew the state’s formal and informal science education communities were dedicated to increasing knowledge, awareness, and participation in science for all students, but there were often breakdowns in communication between teachers and informal educators, as well as confusion over state and local school standards and policies. And to many informal educators, both NCDPI and the Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs represented somewhat of a mysterious, faceless bureaucracy.

Keywords:

• Informal Education

Author Contributions

Debra T. Hall ([email protected]) is an elementary science consultant at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Benita B. Tipton ([email protected]) is a secondary science consultant at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Lisa Tolley ([email protected]) is an environmental education program manager at the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Marty Wiggins ([email protected]) is an environmental education program consultant at the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Debra T. Hall

Debra T. Hall ([email protected]) is an elementary science consultant at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Benita B. Tipton

Benita B. Tipton ([email protected]) is a secondary science consultant at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Lisa Tolley

Lisa Tolley ([email protected]) is an environmental education program manager at the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Marty Wiggins

Marty Wiggins ([email protected]) is an environmental education program consultant at the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality in Raleigh, North Carolina.