The following is a text-only press release from the federal Institute of
Museum and Library Services (IMLS). An HTML version of this release can
be viewed on the agency's Web site:
http://www.imls.gov/news/2010/091610.shtm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2010
IMLS Press Contact
202-653-4632
Mamie Bittner, [log in to unmask]
MacArthur Foundation Press Contact
312-726-8000
Jen Humke, [log in to unmask]
MacArthur and IMLS Announce Plans to Create 30 New Learning Labs at
Libraries and Museums Across the Country
Washington, DC-In support of President Obama's "Educate to Innovate"
call to action, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
(http://www.macfound.org) and the Institute of Museum and Library
Services (IMLS, http://www.imls.gov/about/macarthur.shtm) today
announced plans to create 30 new youth learning labs in libraries and
museums across the country. Inspired by an innovative new teen space at
the Chicago Public Library called YOUmedia (http://youmediachicago.org)
and innovations in science and technology centers, these labs will help
young people become makers and creators of content, rather than just
consumers of it. These labs will be based on new research about how
young people learn today.
"Our success as a nation depends on strengthening America's role as the
world's engine of discovery and innovation," said President Obama. "I
applaud the John D. Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Institute of
Museum and Library Services, and their partners, for lending their
resources, expertise, and their enthusiasm to the task of strengthening
America's leadership in the 21st century by improving education in
science, technology, engineering and math."
"With digital media, learning takes place anywhere, anytime. So we must
break free of the old-fashioned notion that schools are the only places
for learning and provide young people with engaging and diverse
opportunities beyond the classroom," said Robert Gallucci, President of
the MacArthur Foundation. "YOUmedia is an excellent example of 21st
Century learning. Bringing the model to other cities will mark an
important step in motivating young people to learn and preparing them
for a globally competitive workforce."
With $4 million in funding MacArthur and IMLS will begin a planning
process to launch a national competition to create 30 new learning labs
across the country. As the primary source of federal support for the
nation's libraries and museums, IMLS also will help to increase the
capacity of museum and library staff to develop programming based on the
most recent research about how young people learn today. Other partners
- including the, C. S. Mott, Grable, John S. and James L. Knight,
Mozilla and Pearson foundations, and the Chicago and New York Community
Trusts - will provide additional resources to support the new learning
labs. The competition application process, which will include a request
for proposals, will be announced in 2011.
"This partnership helps to advance IMLS efforts to make libraries and
museums places for 21st century learning. Projects like YOUmedia are
pioneering efforts that use research and evidence to demonstrate how our
nation's libraries and museums can be powerful and innovative spaces for
young people's out-of-school learning," said Marsha L. Semmel, IMLS
Acting Director. "Today these institutions are fueling science learning
by tapping young people's interests, initiative, creativity and
collaborative skills. IMLS has long supported research and model
demonstration projects that explore the transformation of learning in
the digital age. It is exciting to work in partnership to disseminate
findings and models throughout the country."
The MacArthur-IMLS learning labs will be part of a network of museums
and libraries throughout the country that use best practice principles,
based on research and evidence, to engage youth in effective science,
technology, engineering, and math education. These new learning labs
will be spaces for experimentation that engage young people with both
digital and traditional media to promote creativity, critical thinking,
and hands-on learning. Young people will be engaged in anytime, anywhere
access through online social networks so that they can pursue their
interests more deeply.
A model for these learning labs, YOUmedia, was supported by MacArthur's
digital media and learning initiative, which aims to determine how
digital media are changing the way young people learn, play, socialize,
and participate in civic life. The goal is to build a base of evidence
about how young people learn today, in an effort to re-imagine learning
in the 21st Century.
About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of
federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums.
The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that
connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the
national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to
sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and
innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about
the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.
About the MacArthur Foundation
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation supports creative
people and effective institutions committed to building a more just,
verdant, and peaceful world. In addition to selecting the MacArthur
Fellows, the Foundation works to defend human rights, advance global
conservation and security, make cities better places, and understand how
technology is affecting children and society. More information is
available at www.macfound.org.
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