The Core Knowledge Blog

How much informal or “free choice” science knowledge do children pick up outside of school? We might have a better grasp of the answer this summer when the The National Academies, a congressionally chartered nonprofit group that advises the federal government, will release a report on what’s known about the role in science education played by museums, zoos and aquariums.

It will be interesting to see what the study finds—and if the data will be broken out by socioeconomic group. Educators concerned about the narrowing of curriculum in the age of No Child Left Behind, present company included, worry that advantaged students feel the impact of curriculum narrowing less acutely than disadvantaged children, who are less likely to visit museums and zoos, or have other out-of-school opportunities for free choice science education.

“The report comes as experts bemoan a lack of scientific education and literacy among Americans,” notes the Associated Press. “They warn of a shortfall in homegrown engineers and scientists to keep the nation competitive, a general work force ill-equipped to function in an increasingly high-tech workplace, and a citizenry struggling to grasp complex public issues like stem cell research. While that has led to calls for changes in schools, science museums — broadly defined to include a range of science-oriented places to visit — can also play a big role in teaching and promoting science to both children and adults.”