Partnering with Science Institutions

Below are some helpful ideas for successfully partnering with science institutions, such as zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums, natural history museums, science museums, nature centers, and wildlife parks and refuges.

• Science and curriculum coordinators are encouraged to set up meetings with the science institution education staff to discuss how the institution can best meet the need of your curriculum
• Develop more than a cursory familiarity with the science institution. Look at it in depth. Think about developing a focused approach to using the collection. This will increase the value of your field study visit. Be proactive in getting to know the institution – visit the web site, tour the facility, feel free to call the staff. They are always willing to meet you.
• Be respectful of the number of students the science institution can serve at one time in an instructor-led program. Avoid unreasonable demands.
• If you are interested in developing a deep collaboration, invite the science institution educators to your schools so they may become more familiar with your needs and operations.
• Attend professional development workshops offered by the science institution to gain an appreciation of the richness of the collections and to improve the way life science is taught . ·
• Work with the science institution to have it serve as a site for school district professional development days.
• Approach potential science institution partners in the early planning stages, not at the last minute, when writing a grant proposal. This will make the proposal stronger.