Developing and Funding Informal Learning Programs Professional Development Workshops Presented by Informal Science, Inc. of Washington, DC Monday, March 30 Cranbrook Institute of Science Bloomfield Hills, MI Tuesday, March 31 Public Museum of Grand Rapids Grand Rapids, MI (In Conjunction with the AZA Central Region Meeting at the John Ball Zoo, Grand Rapids) Presented by: Informal Science, Inc. P.O. Box 42328 Washington, DC 20015 Phone: 202/362-5823 Fax: 202/362-3596 E-mail: [log in to unmask] Overview This full-day, “hands-on” workshop, presented at two Michigan locations at the end of March, addresses the conception, planning and funding of informal education and exhibition projects for zoos, aquariums, gardens, nature centers, children’s, technology, history and natural history museums, science centers, community organizations and similar agencies It helps participants define their project goals and objectives, develop effective project plans, identify potential funding sources, and present their projects effectively to prospective funders. These matters are important to museums, informal learning centers, science centers, nature centers and related organizations of all disciplines and sizes. Many museums and similar organizations with creative programming have excellent ideas, but only a small proportion have received funding from a national foundation, Federal or State agency, or significant local funder. Many worth-while projects fail because funding was not sought or because proposals submitted for funding were not properly developed and presented. Many dollars for funding such projects are available from private foundations such as the MacArthur Foundation and the Sloan Foundation, from Federal agencies such as the National Science Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Department of Education, the National Park Service and the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as from corporate foundations and local and community foundations. Ongoing political changes in Washington make current knowledge of Federal agencies especially important. The workshop provides an overview of critical issues in project planning and proposal presentation. Regardless of subject and approach, successful projects emphasize well-defined educational goals and methods, strong educational content, solid staff/advisor expertise, and effective project planning and budgeting. Many funding sources require evidence of substantial evaluation plans. Program The workshop includes open discussion of project ideas and alternatives and a mock review session involving the evaluation of actual proposals submitted to private and government funding agencies. Participants receive sample grant proposals submitted to various agencies and a 75-page project development and funding manual. Schedule: 8:30 - 9:00 Registration and coffee 9:00 - 10:30 Planning fundamentals 10:30 - 11:30 Discussion of project ideas 11:30 - 12:30 Funding strategies and priorities 12:30 - 1:00 Lunch (on-site) 1:00 - 2:00 Proposal preparation 2:00 - 3:30 Mock proposal review (group activity) 3:30-4:15 Proposal discussion 4:15-4:30 Wrap-up Participants The workshop is intended for executive directors, program directors, education directors, exhibit directors, content specialists, and senior management. Staff are encouraged to attend as a team. Location and Registration The workshop will be held on two consecutive days at different Michigan locations. The Monday, March 30, workshop will be held at Cranbrook Institute of Science, Bloomfield Hills, MI; the March 31 workshop will be held at the Public Museum of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids, MI. Detailed arrival and location information will be included in the materials package. Registration is $135 per person, $120 for the second and third registrants from a single institution/organization. All registrants will receive proposals to be read and evaluated prior to the workshop and a resource manual, which includes information on program design and funding opportunities. Welcoming coffee and rolls, lunch, and a mid-afternoon break are included. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. Faculty The workshops will be conducted by Dr. Robert “Mac” West and Dr. Robert L. Russell. Dr. West has served as director of natural history and science museums in Pennsylvania and Michigan, has advised the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Museum program, and recently has conducted museum and aquarium feasibility studies in addition to his work on program development and implementation. Dr. Russell has directed children’s and science museums in Nebraska and Michigan and served as a program officer for the National Science Foundation. Recently he has worked on exhibition enhancement, program development and evaluation programs. Informal Science, Inc.’s clients include informal learning institutions (science centers, children’s and natural history museums, nature centers, zoos and aquariums, and media producers) as well as youth organizations, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, YouthALIVE! and the Association of Science/Technology Centers. In addition, ISI publishes the bimonthly Informal Science Review, the only serial publication devoted exclusively to informal science learning, and the semi- annual Science/Natural History Traveling Exhibitions Report. Note The presentation in Grand Rapids takes place just prior to the AZA Central Region Conference at the John Ball Zoo. Registration Form Developing and Funding Informal Learning Programs ____ March 30, Cranbrook Institute of Science, Bloomfield Hills ____ March 31, Public Museum of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Name _________________________ Position _______________________ Organization __________________________________________________ Address ______________________________________________________ City ________________________ State _________ ZIP ___________ Telephone ___________________ Fax _____________ Email ___________________ Registration fee: ______$135 ______$120 Check enclosed _____ Purchase Order No. ________________________ Credit Card Number ________________________ Expiration Date ______ Signature _____________________________________________________ (Required for credit card registrations) Make checks payable to Informal Science, Inc., and mail to P. O. Box 42328, Washington, DC 20015. Cancellations, less a $25 processing fee, will be accepted until March 23, 1998.