Formal, non-formal and informal learning in the sciences

Heather L. Ainsworth M.Sc. Sarah Elaine Eaton, Ph.D. About Onate Press and Eaton International Consulting (EIC) Inc.

EIC Inc. was founded in 2001 to provide strategic educational consulting and coaching services, as well as research and professional development for leaders in education and the voluntary and non-profit sectors.

Onate Press was founded in 2010. It is the publication division of EIC Inc. www.eatonintl.com Unit 27, 7172 Coach Hill Rd. SW Calgary, AB, T3H 1C8 Canada

Tel. 1. 403. 244. 9015

Formal, Non-formal and Informal Learning in the Sciences | 2 | This report has been published by Onate Press, an imprint of Eaton International Consulting Inc. Its purpose is to provide an overview of formal, non-formal and informal learning, within the context of scientific literacy, sciences and engineering.

Authors: Heather L. Ainsworth, M.Sc. and Sarah Elaine Eaton, Ph.D.

Editor: Jacquelyn Clydesdale

© 2010 Heather L. Ainsworth and Sarah E. Eaton

Formal, Non-formal and Informal Learning in the Sciences

ISBN: 978-0-9733594-5-9

Publication date: July 31, 2010

Printed in Canada.

Formal, Non-formal and Informal Learning in the Sciences | 3 | This report is a companion piece to:

Formal, Non-formal and Informal Learning:

The Case of Literacy, Essential Skills and Language Learning in Canada

Formal, Non-formal and Informal Learning in the Sciences | 4 | Table of contents

List of Tables 6 List of Figures 7 List of Acronyms 8 Executive Summary 10 Introduction 11 How we understand learning 13 The field of science: an overview 15 Scientific literacy 17 Informal learning: Introduction to learning 19 The introduction of non-formal and formal learning 21 Non-formal learning in sciences for young children 23 Formal learning in sciences 24 Integrated learning contexts 25 Changing attitudes toward learning 29 Formal, non-formal and informal learning in the scientific and engineering professions 32 Interview with a new kind of learning expert 34 Trends in the evaluation of learning 36 Learning inspires learning 36 Conclusions 37 Appendix 1: National science and engineering organizations in Canada 38 Appendix 2: Provincial science and engineering organizations in Canada 40 Appendix 3: Selected international science and engineering organizations outside Canada 41 Appendix 4: Other selected science organizations 43 Bibliography 44

Formal, Non-formal and Informal Learning in the Sciences | 5 | List of Tables

Table 1: Formal, non-formal and informal learning 14

Table 2: Formal learning in the sciences 26

Table 3: Non-formal learning in the sciences 27

Table 4: Informal learning in the sciences 28

Table 5: Formal, non-formal and informal learning as requirements for 33 membership in the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta

Formal, Non-formal and Informal Learning in the Sciences | 6 | List of Figures

Figure 1: Informal learning: Introduction to learning 19

Figure 2: The addition of formal or non-formal learning 22

Figure 3: The Integrated Learning Context Model: Formal, Non-formal 25 and Informal Learning

Formal, Non-formal and Informal Learning in the Sciences | 7 | List of Acronyms

APEGGA Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta

CMEC Council of Ministers of Education, Canada /

Le Conseil des ministres de l'Éducation (Canada)

HRSDC Human Resources and Skills Development Canada /

Ressources humaines et Développment des compétences Canada

OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development /

Organisation de Coopération et de Développement Economiques

Formal, Non-formal and Informal Learning in the Sciences | 8 | Acknowledgements

We express our