Out-of-School Learning
Learning experiences for students often happen outside of the classroom—at community facilities, such as museums and sports centers, and through structured groups and activities, such as homework clubs and community service. Out-of-school learning can help students overcome learning disabilities and develop new talents, and increase their interest in education.
Current perspectives emphasize the role of out-of-school learning programs in critical issues, such as encouraging a diversity of students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning and careers. This point of view underscores the importance of developing new research and evaluation approaches for out-of-school learning environments, while taking into account their distinct features.
SRI education researchers address the need for out-of-school programs by
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Evaluating innovative programs within science museums and community centers
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Studying out-of-school activities that engage girls in STEM projects
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Investigating the foundations of out-of-school learning activity
