Informal Education Resources

Informal learning includes everyday experiences and experiences in designed settings, such as museums, zoos, and nature programs. They also include experiences in out-of-school programs, such as after-school clubs, programs, and citizen science.

Featured Resources

What Are These Bugs Under the Log?

Blog Post

How Do We Know What Isopods Do?

Lesson Plan

Connected Science Learning January-March 2018

Volume 1, Issue 5 STEM Learning in Environmental Settings ...

Journal

Connected Science Learning October-December 2017

Volume 1, Issue 4 STEM Education for Early Learners ...

Journal

Journal and Lesson Plans

Informal Science Journal

Lesson Plans

Latest Resources

Reports Article

Freebies and Opportunities for Science and STEM Teachers, April 23, 2024

Reports Article

Freebies and Opportunities for Science and STEM Teachers, April 16, 2024

Collection

Web Seminar Series: Beyond Representation: Nurturing Belonging and Social Justice...WS3

A collection of resources linked to the Web Seminar Series: Beyond Representation: Nurturing Belonging and Social Justice in Science Education, WS3. T...

Collection

Web Seminar Series: Beyond Representation: Nurturing Belonging and Social Justice...WS2

A collection of resources linked to the Web Seminar Series: Beyond Representation: Nurturing Belonging and Social Justice in Science Education, WS2. T...

Journal Article

Program Evaluation in Formal and Informal STEM Learning Environments

Evaluation Insights is a new column about program evaluation that will help readers build their capacity as program evaluators....

Journal Article

A Safer “Flubber” Recipe

A material commonly known as Flubber, with properties that are excellent for teaching about glaciers, has been widely used in geosciences education. Y...

Journal Article

Changing Elementary Students’ Environmental-Based Attitudes Using an Outdoor Learning Experience: Watershed Investigations

The Learning Team at The Florida Aquarium in Tampa received funding in 2014 to create and conduct a long-term outdoor learning experience for Hillsbor...

Web Seminar

Science Update: Wildfires: Science and Technology, June 13, 2024

Join us on Thursday, June 13, 2024, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET, to learn about the science and technology of firefighting. Wildfires have become an e...

Web Seminar

Science Update: National Marine Sanctuaries as Models of Science-Based Ocean Climate Action, October 10, 2024

Join us on Thursday, October 10, 2024, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM ET, for a Science Update web seminar presented by NOAA about climate science and marine sa...