collaborative networks astc 2014
DESCRIPTION
Presentation on the Center for Science (a national collaborative network of science centers) and other collaborative networks impacting STEM education. Moderated by Carol Valenta, speakers: David Chesebrough, Chris Dornfeld, Jennifer Jovanovic, Christian GreerTRANSCRIPT
Collaborative NetworksLeading Collaborative Networks That Give
New Meaning to “Open Source”
Introductions
Carol Valenta
David Chesebrough
Chris Dornfeld
Jennifer Jovanovic
Christian Greer
Valenta Consulting
COSI
Center for Science
Early Learners Collaborative
Saint Louis Science Center
It started with a network of science centers
(NFL 2007, 17,341,012) http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d805b5d53&template=without-video&confirm=true(NFL 2005, 21,792,096) http://www.nfl.com/history/chronology/2001-
60,000,000
20,000,000
15,000,000(NASCAR 13,000,000) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_league_attendances#Motor_racing(NASCAR 15,000,000) http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/11/113983/923MOTORSPORTSINDUSTRYOVERVIEW.pdf
Association of Science and Technology Centers http://astc.org/about/pdf/Backgrounders/Highlights2009.pdf
Combined, the science centers in the United States have more than 38 million visitors annually – more than the NFL and NASCAR combined.
A new type of collaborative network
• Proactive vs. Reactive to funders
• Managed by outside partner
• Completely “Opt In” and open source
• Inclusive beyond science centers
• Strength in numbers
Building collaborative projects is not easy
Concept Contract Development Activation
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
PM PM PMPM PMCEO CEO
Listen to the experts in your network
because every idea is not a good idea
We focused on what was needed and what can scale
Cost
Scalable
Low
Low High
High
Exhibitions
Games Films
Ed Materials
Social Media
Website
Outreach
Programs
Interactive
Learning
WorkshopsPublic
Relations
Advertising
Mini Games
Impact in first year of activation
6 Local Impact Projects
underway, each leveraging
existing resources
3.8m inserts in National
Geographic reaching over 30
million people
50,000 posters being
distributed in classrooms
across the country
Over 500,000 visitors to the game
and 100,000 active cities
(85% would recommend to friend)
Outstanding Achievement in
Science and Technology Education
- Interactive Media Council
48,000,000 online ad
impressions and over 1.5
million clicks
And we are just getting started…
Reflections from a Science Center Perspective
• A different way to initiate a major initiative
• Challenges of working with a very large corporation
• The project “walk aways”
– New money source
– Local relevance
– Leveraging a corporate name
– Rethinking collaborations and open source
Early Learner Collaborative
• How did Science Beyond the Boundaries grow to include the IMLS Early
Learners Collaborative?
• What does the Early Learners Collaborative include?
• Sharing
• Playing with Science , A Handbook for Museums
• Free Midwest Museums Workshop
• Experiments of the Month
• How will the Early Learners Collaborative continue beyond the grant?
• Grandstand Booth, #417, all Early Childhood, open today 11 am-4:30 pm
• Early Childhood CoP, Mon, Oct 20, 1-2:30 pm, Marbles Kids Museum
Comparing and Contrasting Several
Collaborative Open Source Designs
Christian Greer, Chief Education and Programs Officer
Saint Louis Science Center
ISBE Museums in the Classroom (1995-2000)
• Eight museums and 40 schools initially.
• Started as a justification for wiring classrooms for the internet.
• Focused on bridging distances and improving statewide accessibility
and collaboration.
• Tested new software (QTVR and Videoconferencing)
• Showcased student learning in the classroom.
• Incorporated an instructional-based Open Source model across
formal and informal education organizations.
Park Voyagers – Museums in the Park (1997-2010)
• Year-round multi-institutional citywide outreach program starting
initially with 9 Chicago museums and 27 parks.
• Derived from a need for greater onsite accessibility in neighborhoods.
• Completely supported by the Mayor and community.
• Incorporated a progressive learning approach.
• Directly impacted tens of thousands of kids.
• Incorporated a content-based Open Source model with cross-
disciplinary curriculum.
BOSS Project (2008-2010+)
• IMLS National Leadership Grant awarded to Shedd Aquarium
(Chicago) in 2008.
• Derived from a need to keep pace with dynamic audience interest
and to facilitate better engagement.
• Started within the Education Department but extended out to the rest
of the organization with limited success.
• Had (3) three major foci.
• Incorporated an asset-based Open Source model with shared tools
(code).
HIVE Chicago Learning Network (2010+)
• Created as part of the MacArthur Foundation DML Initiative.
• Started as a way to connect various MacArthur-funded projects and
learning opportunities across a spectrum of engagement.
• Now has Connected Learning as a central framework.
• In several cities around the globe and is presently operated by the
Mozilla Foundation.
• Incorporated an interest-based Open Source model with a
hack/remix focus.
What is the Future of
Collaborative Open Source Networks?
Suggestions for building collaborative networks
• Build a foundation of trust between stakeholders
• Actively listen and stay positive
• Clearly understand and define success
• Understand how you could fail and work to address risks
• Make process as open and transparent as possible
• Keep activation and elements flexible (one size does not fit all)
• Communicate often and expect engagement from stakeholders
• Build from a big idea
• Grit and persistence matters