Backgrounder: Projects of the Center for Lifelong Science Learning

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania … The Center for Lifelong Science Learning launches with several projects involving high-profile partnerships funded by seed money from the PNC Foundation as well as project support from other sources.

One particularly exciting project of the Center for Lifelong Science Learning involves Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Science Center, and Pittsburgh Public Schools. Unified under the concept of “Change Over Time,” this project will connect students to all three institutions through the subjects of evolution and astronomy in ways that support the Pittsburgh Public Schools curriculum.

Several other Center for Lifelong Science Learning projects begin immediately. These include:

• Urban Climate Change Education Partnership. Carnegie Museum of Natural History and the University of Pittsburgh are part of the multi-city Urban Climate Change Education Partnership, a collaboration between six select informal science education institutions. The project is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Through the NSF Urban Climate Change Education Partnership project, institutions in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington, D.C. will develop effective methods for engaging urban students with climate change issues in these specific localities and for increasing climate change science literacy in all our urban communities.
• NASA Data in my Field Trip. Led by Carnegie Museum of Natural History, this project brings together five Pittsburgh informal science educators: the museum, Carnegie Science Center, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, National Aviary, and Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. Wilkinsburg and Pittsburgh Public Schools students will visit the various partner institutions and use actual NASA climate data to participate in a science-based game created by the project partners.
• Access for those with disabilities. The Center for Lifelong Science Learning, like the museum as a whole, is dedicated to facilitating museum experiences for those who cannot visit the museum or whose needs and abilities differ. The Center is pursuing potential partnerships and collaborations between museum personnel and area schools and service providers, who can advise on audience involvement, professional development for museum educators, and future program design.
•  PNC Center for Museum Education. This facility within Carnegie Museum of Natural History provides gathering spaces for visitors, educators, and scientists to learn, experiment, and engage with science together on a programmatic basis. Because of the facility’s classroom-style design and proximity to museum exhibitions, it is at the heart of the museum’s summer camp, after-school, and teacher education programs. It also serves as logistical support space for programs at Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Museum of Art, and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

Carnegie Museum of Natural History, one of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, is ranked among the top five natural history museums in the country. It maintains, preserves, and interprets an extraordinary collection of 20 million objects and scientific specimens used to broaden understanding of evolution, conservation, and biodiversity. More information is available by calling 412.622.3131 or by visiting the Web site, www.carnegiemnh.org.

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