Project Recap

A research-informed approach and national network connecting scientists and communities.

Project Description

Since 2018, ILI has been the home of Portal to the Public, a research-informed approach and national network that helps people connect with the science happening in their own communities.

At its core, Portal to the Public supports informal science education organizations — including museums, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, research centers, and universities — in creating meaningful, face-to-face opportunities for public audiences to engage with working scientists. These programs and events are designed to be welcoming, relevant, and grounded in research on how people learn.

The original research behind Portal to the Public led to a flexible, evidence-based framework that organizations can adapt to fit their own goals and contexts. Grounded in decades of learning science research, the approach supports the design of effective public programs and emphasizes relational practices and facilitation skills that are critical for learning across settings.

Research shows that organizations using the Portal to the Public approach experience positive impacts on public participants, participating scientists, and the organizations themselves. While the work began in science museums, the network has expanded to include a wide range of informal learning institutions across North America.

Dozens of organizations have partnered with ILI to integrate the Portal to the Public framework into their work, and many others have adopted elements independently. ILI continues to provide tools, resources, and training to support organizations in applying the approach in ways that reflect their local communities.