This past March, a group of education leaders and practitioners from across south Texas convened to immerse themselves in the research and theories of teaching and learning science. This “Reflecting on Practice” workshop was hosted at The University of Texas Marine Science Institute and is a nationally recognized professional learning program for informal science educators who work in zoos, museums, nature centers, and aquariums.
Throughout the workshop, the educators explored strategies to reflect upon their own teaching to improve the way they communicate, design programs and support learning, including building a shared language and understanding and establishing habits of reflection and observation. One such technique utilizes videotaping and review with colleagues.
Educators, Sara Pelleteri (UTMSI), Kathryn Takow (San Antonio Zoo), and Surida Nañez-James (Texas State Aquarium), discuss the patterns of talk during the Reflecting on Practice workshop. Photo credit: Kristin Evans.The design of “Reflecting on Practice” is informed by research on teaching science in informal environments and effective professional learning. It has been field tested nationwide, and is currently being used in over 40 institutions that include children’s museums, natural history museums, science centers, botanical gardens, art museums, zoos, and aquariums. The University of Texas Marine Science Institute and the Mission-Aransas Reserve are fortunate to be one of the six leader sites from across the country to offer and teach this program. The next workshop will be offered in August (29-31) in Austin. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. is you are interested in attending.
This workshop is supported by the National Science Foundation and the University of California-Berkeley.