LIGO Educational Outreach Program Development and Local Educators Network

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LIGO Educational OutreachProgram Developmentand
Local Educators Network

• Jill Andrews
• Caltech Educational Outreach

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Todays Workshop

• Welcome!

The whole of science is nothing more than a
refinement of every-day thinking. --A. Einstein
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Todays Workshop

• Welcome!
• You are the experts! We need your knowledge of
  the communitys educational needs.

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Todays Workshop

• Welcome!
• You are the experts! We need your knowledge of
  the communitys educational needs.
• Mark is the LLO science expert (the nice guy)

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Todays Workshop

• Welcome!
• You are the experts! We need your knowledge of
  the communitys educational needs.
• Mark is the LLO science expert (the nice guy)
• I am your workshop facilitator/taskmaster

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Todays Workshop

• Welcome!
• You are the experts! We need your knowledge of
  the communitys educational needs.
• Mark is the LLO science expert (the nice guy)
• I am your workshop facilitator/taskmaster
• Did you receive your packet before the weekend?

7
Todays Workshop

• Welcome!
• You are the experts! We need your knowledge of
  the communitys educational needs.
• Mark is the LLO science expert (the nice guy)
• I am your workshop facilitator/taskmaster
• Did you receive your packet before the weekend?
• Packet contains an Agenda,

8
Todays Workshop

• Welcome!
• You are the experts! We need your knowledge of
  the communitys educational needs.
• Mark is the LLO science expert (the nice guy)
• I am your workshop facilitator/taskmaster
• Did you receive your packet before the weekend?
• Packet contains an Agenda, Nominal Group
  Technique explanation,

9
Todays Workshop

• Welcome!
• You are the experts! We need your knowledge of
  the communitys educational needs.
• Mark is the LLO science expert (the nice guy)
• I am your workshop facilitator/taskmaster
• Did you receive your packet before the weekend?
• Packet contains an Agenda, Nominal Group
  Technique explanation, LEN Model paper,

10
Todays Workshop

• Welcome!
• You are the experts! We need your knowledge of
  the communitys educational needs.
• Mark is the LLO science expert (the nice guy)
• I am your workshop facilitator/taskmaster
• Did you receive your packet before the weekend?
• Packet contains an Agenda, Nominal Group
  Technique explanation, LEN Model paper,
  Pre-workshop Activity,

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Todays Workshop

• Welcome!
• You are the experts! We need your knowledge of
  the communitys educational needs.
• Mark is the LLO science expert (the nice guy)
• I am your workshop facilitator/taskmaster
• Did you receive your packet before the weekend?
• Packet contains an Agenda, Nominal Group
  Technique explanation, LEN Model paper,
  Pre-workshop Activity, and a list of todays
  participants.

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Todays Workshop

• If you didnt have time to do your pre-workshop
  homework, please send it to us as soon as you
  can.
• Well tabulate the results and make them
  available to you.

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Workshop Goals

• Build with you a long-term partnership to
  understand and help meet science education needs
  of the community.

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Workshop Goals

• Build with you a long-term partnership to
  understand and help meet science education needs
  of the community.
• Your investment in the long-term Become a
  permanent LEN Member

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Workshop Goals

• Build with you a long-term partnership to
  understand and help meet science education needs
  of the community.
• Your investment in the long-term Become a
  permanent LEN Member meet with us 4 or 5 times a
  year provide advice

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Workshop Goals

• Build with you a long-term partnership to
  understand and help meet science education needs
  of the community.
• Your investment in the long-term Become a
  permanent LEN Member meet with us 4 or 5 times a
  year provide advice participate in ongoing
  evaluation of the programs.

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Workshop Goals

• Build with you a long-term partnership to
  understand and help meet science education needs
  of the community.
• Your investment in the long-term Become a
  permanent LEN Member meet with us 4 or 5 times a
  year provide advice participate in ongoing
  evaluation of the programs.
• Short-term goal construct proposal for
  national-caliber visitors center at LLO.

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LLO Visitors Center A community resource

• Guided self-tours

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LLO Visitors Center A community resource

• Guided self-tours
• Exhibits

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LLO Visitors Center A community resource

• Guided self-tours
• Exhibits
• Hands-on activities for learners of all ages

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LLO Visitors Center A community resource

• Guided self-tours
• Exhibits
• Hands-on activities for learners of all ages
• National science standards-based lesson plans and
  activities for teachers and students

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LLO Visitors Center A community resource

• Guided self-tours
• Exhibits
• Hands-on activities for learners of all ages
• National science standards-based lesson plans and
  activities for teachers and students
• A venue for special events public lectures,
  star parties, and professional development
  workshops.

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Todays Agenda

• Mark Coles Overview of LIGO and Observatory tour

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Todays Agenda

• Mark Coles Overview of LIGO and Observatory tour
• Catered Lunch!

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Todays Agenda

• Mark Coles Overview of LIGO and Observatory tour
• Catered Lunch!
• All Round Robin response to morning presentation
  (5 minutes each) How does LLO science and
  proposal fit with community educational needs?

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Todays Agenda

• Mark Coles Overview of LIGO and Observatory tour
• Catered Lunch!
• All Round Robin response to morning presentation
  (5 minutes each) How does LLO science and
  proposal fit with community educational needs?
• Andrews Overview of Caltech LEN Model and
  Introduction to Nominal Group Technique.

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Todays Agenda

• Mark Coles Overview of LIGO and Observatory tour
• Catered Lunch!
• All Round Robin response to morning presentation
  (5 minutes each) How does LLO science and
  proposal fit with community educational needs?
• Andrews Overview of Caltech LEN Model and
  Introduction to Nominal Group Technique.
• All Breakout session Four key questions.

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Todays Agenda

• Mark Coles Overview of LIGO and Observatory tour
• Catered Lunch!
• All Round Robin response to morning presentation
  (5 minutes each) How does LLO science and
  proposal fit with community educational needs?
• Andrews Overview of Caltech LEN Model and
  Introduction to Nominal Group Technique.
• All Breakout session Four key questions.
• Coles and Andrews Review outcomes.

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Todays Agenda

• Mark Coles Overview of LIGO and Observatory tour
• Catered Lunch!
• All Round Robin response to morning presentation
  (5 minutes each) How does LLO science and
  proposal fit with community educational needs?
• Andrews Overview of Caltech LEN Model and
  Introduction to Nominal Group Technique.
• All Breakout session Four key questions.
• Coles and Andrews Review outcomes.
• Wrap up, next steps set date for next meeting.

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Todays Agenda

• And now
• Mark Coles
• Overview of LIGO
• And
• Observatory tour

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Overviewthe Caltech LEN Model

• A Model for Engaging Community Educators and
  Students

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Overviewthe Caltech LEN Model

• A Model for Engaging Community Educators and
  Students
• For your reference process and outcomes from the
  Caltech LEN

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Overviewthe Caltech LEN Model

• A Model for Engaging Community Educators and
  Students
• For your reference process and outcomes from the
  Caltech LEN
• Group performed self- and needs-assessments
  (pre-workshop prep)

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Overviewthe Caltech LEN Model

• A Model for Engaging Community Educators and
  Students
• For your reference process and outcomes from the
  Caltech LEN
• Group performed self- and needs-assessments
  (pre-workshop prep)
• Together we constructed our mission, goals,
  action items -- based on assessments

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Overviewthe Caltech LEN Model

• A Model for Engaging Community Educators and
  Students
• For your reference process and outcomes from the
  Caltech LEN
• Group performed self- and needs-assessments
  (pre-workshop prep)
• Together we constructed our mission, goals,
  action items -- based on assessments
• Then ranked them in order of importance

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Overviewthe Caltech LEN Model

• A Model for Engaging Community Educators and
  Students
• For your reference process and outcomes from the
  Caltech LEN
• Group performed self- and needs-assessments
  (pre-workshop prep)
• Together we constructed our mission, goals,
  action items
• Then ranked them in order of importance
• Weighed against feasibility (time, resources,
  internal capability, management)

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Model LEN Mission

• LIGO observatory managers, staff and researchers
  will develop and maintain long-term, interactive
  partnerships with educators to inspire, excite
  and motivate a broad spectrum of learners through
  inquiry, exploration and experience in science
  and engineering research.

Based on a pilot LEN Focus Group at Caltech
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Target Audiences
Based on a pilot LEN Focus Group at Caltech
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Based on a pilot LEN Focus Group at Caltech
Develop Partnerships
Foster a Community of Educators
Increase Diversity
Mission
Guide Student Development
Promote Inquiry- Based Learning
Provide Hands-on Science Opportunities
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Goal 1 Develop Partnerships
Based on a pilot LEN Focus Group at Caltech

• Who Are Our Partners?
• Science and engineering educators and students.
• Entities that support education (i.e.,
  educational institutions and foundations).
• Science- and engineering-based industries (e.g.,
  for field trips and possible funding support).
• Volunteers
• What Will We Accomplish Together?
• Leverage LIGO science and engineering resources
• Facilities campus, labs, observatories
• Equipment experiments, computers
• Personnel faculty, grad students, post docs,
  staff
• Funding supporting educational outreach
• Leverage educators expertise
• Advice on what motivates students to pursue
  science
• Follow-up activities after visiting observatories

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Goal 2 Foster a Community of Educators
Based on a pilot LEN Focus Group at Caltech

• Involve all members of the community as educators
• Increase parents interest in students learning
  and importance of science and engineering
  education to their childrens future.
• Encourage professionals to invest in students
  advancement
• Develop and Sustain the Local Educators Network
• Facilitate communication via
• News Media
• Informational videos
• The Internet
• Venues of informal education (libraries, museums,
  science centers, etc.)

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Goal 3 Promote Inquiry-Based Learning
Based on a pilot LEN Focus Group at Caltech

• Encourage students to ask questions and
  participate actively in the learning process.
• Create classroom activities based on LIGO
  research
• Adhere to statewide and national standards, but
  surpass minimum requirements.
• Include educators and students in the process.
• Show students how to interpret data, not just
  collect it.
• Encourage exploration and mind-expanding ideas.

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Goal 4 Provide Hands-On Opportunities
Based on a pilot LEN Focus Group at Caltech
Foster self-motivated learning Mentor and
motivate students to conduct independent research
to give them a chance to get advice from experts
and to ask their own questions. Scientific
Method / Analytical Approach Engage students in
science and engineering research
processes. Field work Highlight current
research and provide background information in
the classroom. Students can transfer what they
learn on field trips to the classroom environment
and participate in follow-up activities. Publiciz
e local programs for teachers and students that
support science and engineering.
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Goal 5 Guide Student Development
Based on a pilot LEN Focus Group at Caltech
Help students discover their own
potential. Foster peer recognition for science
achievements or aptitude. Encourage adults to
provide recognition of scientific
excellence. -From educators, parents, scientists,
media Motivate students who need extra help
focusing on academic goals. Facilitate
interaction of graduate students, post-doctoral
scholars and high school students in mentoring
relationships. Provide exposure to science
careers. -Give students introductions to
different career paths -Expose students to a
college/research environment. -Build in relevance
to students lives with practical applications
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Goal 6 Increase Diversity
Based on a pilot LEN Focus Group at Caltech
Provide role models who demonstrate that an
education and career in science and engineering
is an attainable goal. Boost involvement in
science and engineering among statistically
underrepresented groups.
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Potential Outcomes
Based on a pilot LEN Focus Group at Caltech
Priorities Identified by the Caltech LEN Focus
Group Mentoring Partnerships Professional
Development Open Houses, Labs Resource Library /
Websites Teacher Recognition Hands-on
Experiences Girls Clubs Science Mobile
Unit Public Awareness Campaign Student Summer
Programs
All activities emphasize service to groups
typically underrepresented in science minorities,
females, and persons with disabilities.
From A Model for Engaging Community Educators
and Students The Local Educators Network Focus
Group, J. Andrews, October 2002.
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Next Steps

• Compile Report on LEN Focus Group Workshops

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Next Steps

• Compile Report on LEN Focus Group Workshops
• Write grant proposal(s)

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Next Steps

• Compile Report on LEN Focus Group Workshops
• Write grant proposal(s)
• When funding is provided, begin implementation

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Next Steps

• Compile Report on LEN Focus Group Workshops
• Write grant proposal(s)
• When funding is provided, begin implementation
• Iterate programs with LEN members

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Lets Get Started!Nominal Group Technique

• An effective method for group inquiry

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Nominal Group Technique

• An effective method for group inquiry
• Helpful in identifying problems, establishing
  priorities, and postulating and exploring
  policies and problem solutions.

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Nominal Group Technique

• An effective method for group inquiry
• Helpful in identifying problems, establishing
  priorities, and postulating and exploring
  policies and problem solutions.
• Helps foster stakeholder participation in
  planning.

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Nominal Group Technique

• An effective method for group inquiry
• Helpful in identifying problems, establishing
  priorities, and postulating and exploring
  policies and problem solutions.
• Helps foster stakeholder participation in
  planning.
• Facilitators Coles and Andrews

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Nominal Group Technique

• An effective method for group inquiry
• Helpful in identifying problems, establishing
  priorities, and postulating and exploring
  policies and problem solutions.
• Helps foster stakeholder participation in
  planning.
• Facilitators Coles and Andrews
• A trigger question

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Nominal Group Technique

• 1. Understanding the Trigger Question -- 5
  minutes
• 2. Silent Generation of Ideas -- 15 minutes
• 3. Round Robin Recording of Ideas -- 30
  minutes
• 4. Clarification of Ideas -- 30 minutes
• 5. Ranking of Ideas -- 40 minutes
• Total 120 minutes (2 hours)

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Nominal Group Technique

• Trigger Question Within the context of
  information presented by Mark Coles on
  LIGO-related research, please respond to the
  following
• ?What are the three most important educational
  needs in your school and/or community?
• ? How can your school and/or community use the
  proposed LLO Visitors Center as a resource?
• ? What are 3 potential barriers?
• ? What are 3 potential benefits?

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Nominal Group Technique

• Write your responses (15 min). Try to address
  each part by spending 3-4 minutes on each.

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Nominal Group Technique

• Write your responses (15 min).
• Round Robin recording present, but do not
  discuss, your ideas. Facilitator records on a
  flip chart. All ideas are recorded on the chart
  (30 min).

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Nominal Group Technique

• Write your responses (15 min).
• Round Robin recording present, but do not
  discuss, your ideas.
• Clarification. Facilitator leads discussion --
  this is the time for questions, interpretations,
  explanations. Facilitator assigns each idea a
  number (30 min).

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Nominal Group Technique

• Write your responses (15 min).
• Round Robin recording present, but do not
  discuss, your ideas.
• Clarification. Facilitator leads discussion --
  this is the time for questions, interpretations,
  explanations. Facilitator assigns each idea a
  number.
• Ranking priority of each idea. Facilitator asks
  each person to write down items they consider to
  be a priority.
• Final ranking. Each individual rates items from
  no importance (0) to top priority (10). (40
  min total)

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Nominal Group Technique

• Write your responses (15 min).
• Round Robin recording present, but do not
  discuss, your ideas.
• Clarification. Facilitator leads discussion --
  this is the time for questions, interpretations,
  explanations. Facilitator assigns each idea a
  number.
• Ranking priority of each idea. Facilitator asks
  each person to write down items they consider to
  be a priority.
• Final ranking. Each individual rates items from
  no importance (0) to top priority (10).
• Turn in your final ranking to Andrews Coles.
  Results will be tabulated and discussed.