Informal STEM Education Opportunities Newsletter
November 2023
Welcome to the Informal STEM Education Opportunities Newsletter: a collection of opportunities, funding, and other programs of interest for folks in informal STEM learning spaces, brought to you by Improved Insights.
In addition to our existing monthly newsletter (which goes in-depth on an informal STEM learning evaluation topic), this newsletter highlights a selection of upcoming opportunities of interest to those working in informal STEM education.
Here are a few things that caught our eye this month:
Funding/RFPs:
The Chula Vista Community Foundation (CVCF) invites nonprofit organizations to apply for their 2024-2025 grant cycle. CVCF is seeking projects in the Chula Vista area that positively impact the community through education projects supporting STEAM and STEM. Funding between $10,000-$50,000 will be awarded. Applications are due November 22, 2023 by 5:00 PM PST.
The National Science Foundation's Advanced Informal STEM Learning (AISL) Program is seeking project submissions from organizations that contribute to the research and practice of informal STEM learning’s role in equity and belonging in STEM, personal and educational success in STEM, advancing public engagement in scientific discovery, improving community vibrancy, and enhancing science communication and the public’s engagement in and understanding of STEM and STEM processes, among other impacts. Up to $3.5 million in funding over five years is available in certain project categories. Submissions are due January 10, 2024.
Fellowships:
The Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship is a one-year paid fellowship that matches graduate students with hosts in the legislative and executive branches of government in the Washington, D.C. area. The fellowship offers direct experience working on the latest issues in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes management and research. Applications are open through February 15, 2024.
Jobs:
The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago is seeking a Senior Evaluator. The Evaluator will be responsible for evaluation and science education research projects for the Museum by supporting and leading projects that study the impact of MSI programming and services on audience and community.
The National Science Foundation's Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL) is hiring a Science Education Administrator (Program Director). The Director will work collaboratively with staff and other program directors in one or more DRL programs, and may also work on cross-division and cross-directorate programs. They will also interact with academic research communities, formal and informal educational organizations, industry, as well as other Federal agencies that may lead to the development of interagency collaborations.
The Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is seeking an Education Programs Specialist and Camp Director. The qualified candidate will be a multi-dimensional educator with natural science content knowledge and a passion for teaching in both out-of-school time (OST) and formal education settings. Duties will include development of educational programming for a wide variety of audiences from pre-K to adults, curriculum writing and revision, and overseeing camp counselors and programming.
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is seeking a Visitor Experience Research and Evaluation Intern. The 12-week paid internship sessions run in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. Interns will develop a research and evaluation project decided upon with the direction of their supervisor, implementing their final project before the end of their internship.
Professional Development:
The Office of Museum Services is seeking grant reviewers for the 2024 Institute of Museum and Library Services funding cycle. Selected reviewers will be eligible to receive an honorarium of either $300 or $500 for their service, depending on the type of review. On average, each reviewer will receive 7-12 applications, which will take approximately 1 hour each to review. Reviewer applications are due December 1, 2023.
The Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) is seeking Undergraduate Students and Eclipse Enthusiasts to become NASA Partner Eclipse Ambassadors. Partnerships will consist of two individuals - one undergraduate student and one eclipse enthusiast - who will engage with their local communities, preparing them to enjoy the April 8th eclipse. Ambassadors will receive asynchronous training and additional engagement resources through the ASP. Applications are open through early 2024.
New Directions for Evaluation is seeking graduate students for their Junior Editor program. The program provides a flexible, mentored experience for those interested in evaluation careers. Students will get the chance to develop their scholarship and professional writing skills and gain familiarity with technologies needed to navigate the modern online evaluation publishing space (e.g., ScholarOne). Applications must be submitted no later than December 1, 2023 at 5:00 pm PST.
Techbridge Girls is now accepting applications to join their Spring 2024 STEM Equity Learning Community. All out-of-school time (OST) supervisors and administrators for programs that serve Black, Indigenous, and Latina girls and gender-expansive youth are encouraged to apply. An information session will be held December 6, 2023 at 1:00 PM EST, and applications are due January 19, 2024.
Conversations About Community Engagement, Audience Diversification, and Relationship Building hosted by the Museum Association of New York is a webinar that will explore strategies for gathering input and feedback from current and potential stakeholders as well as explore how partnerships can be developed to attract new audiences. The webinar will take place on Friday, January 26, 2024 from 12:00-1:30 PM EST.
Conferences:
The American Geophysical Union's (AGU) Annual Meeting will take place December 11-15, 2023. The AGU will convene over 25,000 attendees in San Francisco and virtually around the theme: Wide.Open.Science.
The Association of Science Communicators' annual conference, Science Talk ‘24, will take place April 11-12, 2024 in Portland, OR. Conference content is still in development, and interested participants are encouraged to vote for their favorite conference topics. Early bird registration begins December 4, 2023.
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