The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation (2026)

Chapter: 4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings

Previous Chapter: 3 Workforce and Policy Needs for Building and Sustaining Capacity in Informal Science and Engineering Education
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 85
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 86
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 87
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 88
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 89
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 90
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 91
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 92
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 93
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 94
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 95
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 96
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 97
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 98
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 99
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 100
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 101
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 102
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 103
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 104
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 105
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 106
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 107
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 108
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 109
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 110
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 111
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 112
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 113
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 114
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 115
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 116
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 117
Suggested Citation: "4 New Insights for Supporting Learners and Learning in Informal Settings." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. The Status of Informal Science and Engineering Education: Proceedings of a Convocation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/29291.
Page 118
Next Chapter: 5 Digital Media and Innovations for STEM Learning and Engagement in Informal Settings
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