The LIGO Science Education Center: Partnering Labs, Universities, Education Agencies and Informal Learning Centers

A program is described for a seamless approach to informal and formal science teaching and learning built around a Science Education Center to be located at LIGO, Livingston, Louisiana. Under an NSF collaborative grant, four institutions are partnering to create an exemplary educational resource to promote science learning and understanding. The Science Education Center will feature approximately 40 interactive exhibits developed by The Exploratorium of San Francisco illustrating science concepts underlying the LIGO program. Southern University, a principal producer of teachers in Louisiana, leads pre-service teacher training. LA GEAR UP, a statewide educational reform agency, guides in-service teacher Professional Development. Our goals: (1) communicate LIGO-related science concepts to the public; (2) strengthen pre-service and in-service science teaching; (3) reach a broad audience of students in the Louisiana region; and (4) create a national model for ways scientists, educators, state education programs, and informal learning centers can collaborate to support science education. This work supported by NSF grants PHY-0107417 and PHY-0355454.