ColLABoration : the partnership between Ohio State and COSI
The Vision
Science museums and universities each hold a deep commitment to educating the public in meaningful and impactful ways. Changes in the operations of each institution, indeed in our evolving society, bring an opportunity for these organizations to come together in a new way; one that advances the mission of each of them individually, while collectively creating a new, more effective model for public science education for the 21st century.
Imagine a collaborative based at COSI where formal education and free-choice learning blend together seamlessly in a research rich environment; a place where not only participants, but the next generation of scientists, engineers, and educators are nurtured. The merging of these institutions essentially allows the science museum to continue its critical public education, led by their team members, while working simultaneously to meet the public education and research needs of the university faculty. In essence, the science museum becomes a nexus between the public and the research worlds of the university. This joint effort will gain national prominence and set the bar for engaging and educating the public, including ground-breaking ways to connect scientific and technological research with educational and public awareness initiatives.
Perhaps most importantly, this partnership will utilize the very best talents of each organization in a coordinated and collaborative way, allowing each group to do their best work while still meeting their joint desire to educate the public. This blurring of formal and informal education can be the model for educating a 21st century public and has the potential to change the way we support lifelong learning of our children and our citizens.
The Ohio State University-COSI partnership: A Win-win collaboration. Benefits for COSI
The partnership between COSI and The Ohio State University provides for innovative and publicly visible venues for scientists to conduct research that simultaneously provide the public with experiences of science that are meaningful and personally relevant.
While the OSU scientists conduct world-class research in the laboratories at COSI, COSI will have the opportunity to:
- Provide unique programs for its visitors that aid them in experiencing and learning Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Health (STEM+H)
- Provide unique programs for visitors that aid them in learning about themselves thereby improving their quality of life
- Collaborate with OSU researchers in innovative ways to study and improve free choice science learning of diverse public audiences.
- Further COSI's reputation as a science center that serves the public in lifelong learning
- Garner additional grant funds for public outreach and education through federal community partnerships programs
- Establish an international reputation as a center of science that is known for innovative programming that incorporates collaboration with local research partners.
- Serve as a replicable model for other science centers with the project's focus on using local business and research partners for cutting edge and constantly changing content.
The Ohio State University-COSI partnership: A Win-win collaboration. Benefits for Ohio State University
The partnership between COSI and The Ohio State University provides for innovative and publicly visible venues for scientists to conduct research that simultaneously provide the public with experiences of science that are meaningful and personally relevant.
While conducting world-class research in the laboratories at COSI, the OSU scientist also will have the opportunity to:
- Inform and educate the public about the scientific process
- Expand the scope for communication of research outcomes to new local, national, and international audiences
- Garner public attention for the researcher's particular area of work
- Inform, motivate, and recruit young people while teaching them the importance of science in their own lives as well as its importance in the world
- Include members of the COSI audience as subjects for research when appropriate inclusion criteria are met
- Collaborate with other researchers and educators in innovative multidisciplinary ways including collaborating with COSI's staff to study and improve free choice science education
- Provide graduate and undergraduate students with unique research and public interaction opportunities in addition to the projects necessary to complete advanced degrees.
- Garner additional grant funds for public outreach and education, research experiences for students, for service learning, and for science education in addition to new multidisciplinary research endeavors
Who to talk to
If you are interested in pursuing opportunities to partner with COSI for research or outreach, contact Kathryn Jakes at jakes.1@osu.edu
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