Defining Outcomes: The First Step on the Path to Community Building
Posted Jul 10, 2024
For the last few years ILI has been helping organizations think about how they meet the needs of their communities. Often the first step on that path is the definition of their organization’s outcomes. Defining outcomes is a critical process for any organization aiming to measure its impact effectively and drive meaningful community engagement. Our… (Read more)
Newly Funded: Taking Inclusive STEM Learning to the Next Level with Building Capacity for Autism Phase 2 Project!
Posted Mar 14, 2024
ILI is thrilled to share our latest venture: “Broadening and Sustaining Capacity for Inclusive Informal STEM Learning Opportunities for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder”, funded by the AISL program at NSF. After a successful first round where we teamed up with four museums and informal learning and autism experts to make STEM learning more… (Read more)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: New Study Measures the Public Value of Art Museum Experiences
Posted Jun 8, 2023
Research project featuring unique, cross-sectional consortium of 11 museums across the United States explores how art museums contribute to well-being June 08, 2023—Following a large-scale, multi-institutional research project, the Institute for Learning Innovation (ILI) and a consortium of 11 museums across the United States have announced the results of a new study designed… (Read more)
NOW HIRING: Bilingual Spanish/English Interpreter
Posted Mar 21, 2023
(REMOTE CONTRACT POSITION) Description: The Institute for Learning Innovation (ILI) is collaborating with the High Desert Museum in learning how to support family STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) learning in their community. We are looking for a bilingual Spanish/English individual to join our research team as an interpreter and translator to examine the… (Read more)
Global Well-Being: A 5th Dimension of Value
Posted Nov 8, 2022
Author: Dr. John H. Falk Those of you who have been following my work over the past couple of years know that I have been focused on defining and measuring the value of museums. I have argued that most of a museum’s value lies within the experiences it creates. Historically, the value of a… (Read more)
Update: A new chapter for Dr. Dierking
Posted Jun 8, 2022
(Photo Dr. Lynn Dierking finds her niche in Marrakech – and with us!) Dr. Lynn Dierking has always worn many hats but recently, she retired from Oregon State University after spending the past 15 years as a Sea Grant Professor of Free-Choice Learning. Now able to commit to our organization in a much greater… (Read more)
Stem Friends: Friendships and STEM interest
Posted Mar 30, 2022
Discovering the role that 4th and 5th-grade friendships have to play in children’s STEM interest Most parents understand that their child’s friendships hold great influence on their perceptions, hobbies, and interests – but today, our Data Scientist, David Meier, provides us with some interesting evidence that demonstrates how your children’s friends feel about STEM may… (Read more)
CEO SEARCH
Posted Mar 28, 2022
Chief Executive Officer Full-Time, Remote (can work anywhere in/near a major metro area) About ILI The Institute for Learning Innovation (ILI) works with individuals, organizations, and communities to develop and support lifelong, free-choice learning as a mechanism for helping solve the major challenges facing humanity. The Institute for Learning Innovation imagines a future… (Read more)
The Power of Museums 2022
Posted Mar 25, 2022
From the International Council of Museums Portugal 2022 Many people report that museum experiences make them feel better about themselves, more informed, happier, healthier, and more enriched; all outcomes directly related to enhanced well-being. Historically, benefits such as enhanced well-being were seen as vague and intangible, recently, Dr. John H. Falk was at ICOM in… (Read more)
Take me to the science center!
Posted Mar 23, 2022
Evidence that visits to the local science center matter in children’s sense of scientific relevance and their own self-efficacy in science Analyses of data from our Multi-Modal Science Effects Study reveals a significant and positive relationships between visiting science centers and children’s perceived science relevance and science self-efficacy. Over 1,700 fifth and sixth-grade students were… (Read more)
Mapping ASD Inclusion: Navigating Information on Museum Websites
Posted Feb 8, 2022
How do you plan a trip or a day out? If you’re like me, and the greater majority of Americans (Morning Consult, 2021), you use websites to help you plan your trip in advance. Websites are the go-to for learning about what adventures await us and if you are from a community who is… (Read more)
Ashanti Davis- Research Associate
Posted Jan 4, 2022
We are thrilled to be able to include Ashanti Davis as part of our growing team! Described as an Artist, Thinker, Social Justice Advocate, and Museum Practitioner who believes in the power of art and creativity to create meaningful change, Ashanti has led interdisciplinary teams in the development of unique STEM experiences and exhibitions… (Read more)
Data Scientists : Tools of the trade
Posted Dec 8, 2021
Today our Data Scientist, David Meier, talks about some of the tools he uses on a daily basis and why he chose them. Trying to change the oil in your car with a paintbrush would be quite a debacle. Most people have heard the adage, “The right tool for the job” and it is… (Read more)
Nicole Claudio – Research Associate
Posted Nov 22, 2021
After having the opportunity to work with her as an independent contractor – we are so pleased to announce that Nicole Claudio has joined ILI as a full-time Research Associate! Nicole is committed to understanding how museums and other free-choice learning environments can better serve all learners in their efforts to build a deeper understanding… (Read more)
A simple way to increase children’s perceived science relevance and science self-efficacy
Posted Nov 5, 2021
Analyses of data from our Multi-Modal Science Effects Study: Institute for Learning Innovation study reveal a significant and positive relationship between family science TV show watching and science reading. Over 1,700 fifth and sixth-grade students were asked to rate their level of agreement to eight statements designed to measure a perceived relevance of science… (Read more)
Funders and Museums: A New Form of Partnership
Posted Nov 2, 2021
This article is a conversation between a funder and a museum practitioner, exploring a new form of partnership. How do funders support important changes in the museum field? How do museums work collaboratively with funders, while maintaining vision and integrity? Brittany Vernon, Director of Awards & Cohorts, Evaluation and Learning & Engagement at Art… (Read more)
DR. MILTON CHEN MAKES $10,000 DONATION TO INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING INNOVATION ON BEHALF OF W.K KELLOGG FOUNDATION TRUSTEE FUND
Posted Sep 29, 2021
We are so pleased to share that The W.K Kellogg Foundation has presented the Institute for Learning Innovation (ILI) with a $10,000 donation. Founded in 1930 by breakfast cereal pioneer, Will Keith Kellogg, WKKF is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to… (Read more)
Dr. John H. Falk’s latest book is here!
Posted Sep 23, 2021
We are so excited to announce the arrival of this highly anticipated book. Written by our own Dr. John H. Falk, The Value of Museums: Enhancing Societal Well-Being provides a timely and compelling way for museum professionals to better understand and explain the benefits created by museum experiences. The key insight this book advances is… (Read more)
Connected Audience 2022: An Update
Posted Aug 30, 2021
Exploring the Evidence for Cultural Institutions‘ Relevance April 2022 The Connected Audience Conference 2022 will address the pressing issue of Public Value and Relevance. We invite you to join your colleagues from around the world to explore the role that cultural organizations can, do, and should play in our communities. The Conference will be virtual and take place over… (Read more)
FLAME Receives IMLS Award
Posted Aug 18, 2021
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT Many of us reach museum leadership roles with a strong background in the content area, but rather less training in business and leadership. That’s why we’re so thankful to be able to announce that last week we were awarded an IMLS grant that supports ILI’s work with one of our allied organizations… (Read more)
Evidence that parental and caregiver support matters in their children’s STEM interest
Posted Aug 5, 2021
Most people would agree with the assumption that parental and/or caregiver support greatly influences their children’s interest and attitudes towards science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Today, however, our Data Scientist, David Meier, provides us with some evidence that this is more than a hopeful assumption by sharing results from two of our projects. Analyses… (Read more)
A love for learning and the VSA
Posted Jul 8, 2021
Next week is my official first week as the Secretary for Visitor Studies Association. I joined the board in an interim capacity in December and I am excited to now join the group in this official capacity. The Visitor Studies Association has meant so much to me, both in a professional capacity and also as… (Read more)
On-Ramps to Where?
Posted Jun 8, 2021
An essay by: John H. Falk and Lynn D. Dierking Introduction For generations, educators have supported children and youth’s free-choice science learning through informal education experiences, such as visits to museums, science centers, zoos and aquariums, both school visits, as well as those with family/friends; various online programs, summer camps and scouting, and… (Read more)
The Value of Museums: Enhancing Societal Well-Being
Posted May 24, 2021
We are pleased to announce the timely arrival of a new book written by our own Dr. John Falk. “Written by one of the world’s leading authorities on the public use of museums, The Value of Museums: Enhancing Societal Well-Being provides a timely and compelling way for museum professionals to better understand and explain the benefits created… (Read more)
Portal To The Public Wins Enduring Achievement Award
Posted May 12, 2021
ARIS ANNOUNCES 2020 and 2021 BROADER IMPACTS AWARDEES Award recipients to be recognized during the annual summit. May 11, 2021 – The Center for Advancing Research Impact in Society (ARIS) today announced three Broader Impacts (BI) Champions who have contributed significantly to establishing and advancing the broader impacts of scientific research. 2021 BI Champions: ·… (Read more)
Principal Components Analysis – and everyone’s favorite sandwich!
Posted May 12, 2021
Is your survey scale or instrument measuring one, and only one psychological construct? How do you know? What does it matter? As our Data Scientist, David Meier will tell you, refining your survey scales to ensure they are measuring unique constructs is critical for the validity of your inferential statistical interpretations. You can’t truly know if someone… (Read more)