AccessISL

Replication Materials: Resources for Offering Accessible Online Informal Learning

The Access to Informal Science Learning (AccessISL) project has developed resources for making informal science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning opportunities more welcoming and accessible to everyone, especially individuals with disabilities. Through the project, ISL programs and academic departments nationwide participated in training, consultation, community building, and activity and resource development.

How does Art Beyond Sight promote equal access to art?

The goal of Art Beyond Sight is to “empower cultural institutions to provide accessible and inclusive environments for all of their patrons, including people with disabilities and their families.” The Art Beyond Sight website shares relevant resources—including text, images, audio, and video—for classroom teachers, museum educators, and the general public. Provided they follow user guidelines, site visitors are encouraged to utilize materials and adapt them for their own non-commercial use.

How do I include deaf students in informal learning conversations?

Unfortunately, the designs of some informal learning conversations and other activities do not allow individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to fully participate. There are several strategies your program can follow to avoid this situation. Begin by making sure your promotional materials and correspondence with potential participants explain how individuals can request accommodations, including a sign language interpreter and real-time captioning.

Riverside Art Museum's KickstART Kits: A Promising Practice in Improving Access for Natural Science Education

The Riverside Art Museum (RAM) created KickstART kits during the Covid-19 pandemic to provide natural science education through at-home art making. Each kit is designed to inspire young learners to explore the natural world, and each kit has five art lessons with specific themes students can choose from: Animals, Art Around the World, Oceans of Fun, Desert, and Winter.

What is the Center for Advancement of Informal Science Education?

The Center for Advancement of Informal Science Education (CAISE) works with the National Science Foundation’s Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program to “build and advance the informal STEM education field by providing infrastructure, resources, and connectivity for educators, researchers, evaluators, and other interested stakeholders.”

The One By One Project: A Promising Practice in Using a CoP Model to Strengthen Connections Between Sites

In a community of practice (CoP), a group often focused on a specific application area, collaborators share perspectives and expertise; identify promoters and inhibitors of change; suggest initiatives and activities; and share problems, solutions, and practices. CoPs within organizations can help prevent information across departments from being siloed. A CoP can also be used to disseminate new information, practices, or projects that might otherwise get overlooked.

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