Challenger Learning Center of Maine

Earth and Space Science Community Education Center

At the Challenger Learning Center of Maine

“The National Science Board has mandated that National Science Foundation (NSF) proposals that do not separately address the ``Intellectual Merit” and ``Broader Impact” of the proposed work, within the one page Project Summary, must be returned without review. It is, therefore, important for the community to understand the role that this criteria plays in an NSF proposal.”
-- National Science Foundation

“The [NASA] Science Mission Directorate is committed to fostering the broad involvement of the science research community in E/PO with the goal of enhancing the Nation’s formal education system and contributing to the broad public understanding of science, mathematics, and technology. Making progress towards achieving this goal has become an important part of the broad justification for public support of science.”
-- NASA

University Scientists and Researchers:

Does your research focus on any of the Earth or Space Science-related topics:

Geology, marine science, environmental science, astronomy, climatology, remote sensing, space technology?

Are you applying for or do you have an existing research grant from a Federal agency – NSF, NASA, NOAA? Are you thinking about applying for an education extension to an existing grant?

Are you stumbling over what to propose for a strong and effective “broader impacts” requirement in your proposal?

If your answer is ‘yes’ to these questions, we can help you.

“Broader Impact” Includes

• Advancement of discovery and understanding while promoting teaching, training and learning
• Enhancement of infrastructure for research and education
• Participation of underrepresented groups
• Dissemination of results to enhance scientific and technological understanding
• Benefits to society

The ESSCEC works with researchers to develop education and outreach activities that:

• Have a measurable impact on teachers, students, and/or other citizens;
• Integrate with existing educational resources;
• Use instructional strategies that are known to be effective; and
• Support Maine STEM curriculum and National and State Learning Standards

What kinds of ‘Broader Impact’ activities can we assist with?

Our strategy to improve STEM education in Maine focuses on providing professional development opportunities for K-12 teachers and furthering connections between University-level research and the community through educational outreach.

We specialize in providing professional support for K-12 teachers in the Earth and Space Sciences. We have a host of high quality inquiry-based curriculum materials for nearly any STEM topic with connections to the National and State Learning Standards. We have a staff of creative, experienced educators with Masters level research experience who enjoy disseminating higher-level knowledge to the general public and K-12 student and teacher populations. We have experience designing multi-day and single-day teacher workshops integrating presentations from science researchers with the K-12 classroom, making presentations to community groups such as Rotary or Lions Clubs, and creating vacation or after-school activities for kids. Our Center serves as a bridge between research and education of the broader community.

How does it work?

Current and recent projects