informed by nature.org
OUR PROGRAMS
The programs below are our ongoing efforts to bring engaging educational science learning to the public. We hope you'll take a moment to see what we're doing and consider contributing to our fight against science illiteracy. The more dedicated donors and volunteers we have, the more Informed by Nature can impact our world. Our goal is to provide a range of diverse programs that bring reliable science information and an appreciation for critical thinking into the classroom, the library, and your home!
Science in the Classroom
GOAL: Awaken students to the value of science in their daily lives.
AUDIENCE: Students in grades 5-9
IBN goes into the classroom! This program sends our volunteers into classrooms to talk about the value of science as a tool for better decision-making and better living. Each volunteer highlights an aspect of scientific methodology or knowledge to demonstrate why science matters and how it applies to our professional and personal lives. Whether a doctor, architect, financial analyst, or photographer, every profession relies on the knowledge, materials, and methodologies espoused by science.
Online Science Fair
GOAL: Create a living archive of student science projects to showcase work and inspire others.
AUDIENCE: Students in grades 7-12
The Online Science Fair encourages students (grades 7-12) to upload their science projects, whether for a classroom grade, a school-wide science fair, or a regional competition. Students can find ideas for projects, share their experiments and findings, and interact through comments and by voting for their favorite entries. IBN will hold an annual online competition with educational prizes for the winners to elicit student participation and encourage friends and family to explore the site. Institutions like science museums and school districts will be invited to post their competitions to allow more students to participate virtually. This is an invaluable service to underserved and rural populations without access to local science-themed competitions.
History of Science Timeline
GOAL: Highlight the value of science learning and critical thinking through the discoveries that impact ou
AUDIENCE: General Public, Students, Teachers
See what science has to offer. The timeline is an interactive resource for major scientific discoveries and events that highlights the interlinking nature of knowledge. Users can jump between events and see the relevance of one discovery on another before their eyes. For instance, how does understanding conductivity relate to the invention of the battery? Or how did our understanding of the human body develop? Come see how science relies on continued learning.
Celebrate Science
GOAL: Establish a network of high school science organizations and feed their passion for science!
AUDIENCE: High School students
This program will establish an online community of High School science clubs and organizations that share their events, activities, and work with each other. IBN provides each chapter with a packet of activities that include recommendations for research projects, experiments, and community outreach. Students are encouraged to visit science centers, museums, industrial sites (e.g. treatment plants, mining facilities), and nature reserves to learn about the relevance of science. They are also encouraged to invite speakers of all professions to talk about how they use critical thinking and scientific approaches in their work. Everything is shared on the network across chapters and students encourage each other to explore, discover, and become informed!