Informal Science Education

Informal science education provides students with valuable learning experiences outside of the normal classroom environment. These places provide students with a unique and in-depth look at science in the real-world. In this section you will find links to some of the botanical gardens, arboretums, science museums, zoos, aquariums, and planetariums found in the state of Ohio.

NSTA's Position Statement on Informal Science Education
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) recognizes and encourages the development of sustained links between the informal institutions and schools. NSTA’s position statement helps distinguish quality informal educational experiences from one’s that may not be appropriate.



Northeast Ohio / Northwest Ohio / Central Ohio / Southeast Ohio / Southwest Ohio


Northeast Ohio Top

Cleveland Botanical Garden
http://www.cbgarden.org/Learn/TeachersAndStudents.html

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
http://www.clemetzoo.com/learn.asp

Cleveland Museum of Natural History
http://www.cmnh.org/site/classesandprograms_schoolprograms.aspx

Great Lakes Science Center
http://www.glsc.org/visit/
 
  

Northwest Ohio Top

COSI Toledo
http://www.cositoledo.org/

Ritter Planetarium
http://www.rpbo.utoledo.edu/school.html

Toledo Botanical Garden
http://www.toledogarden.org/content/education/

Toledo Zoo
http://www.toledozoo.org/edzoocation/ed_inzooprogs.html
 
  

Central Ohio Top

COSI Columbus
http://www.cosi.org/educators/

Columbus Zoo
http://www.columbuszoo.com/education/az-battelle.htm

Dawes Arboretum
http://www.dawesarb.org/education/outreach.asp

Franklin Park Conservatory
http://www.fpconservatory.org/schooltours.htm

Perkins Observatory
http://www.perkins-observatory.org/
 
  

Southeast Ohio Top

The Wilds
http://www.thewilds.org/education/education_programs.asp

The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art, & Technology
http://www.attheworks.org/foreducators.html
 
  

Southwest Ohio Top

Aullwood Audubon Farm
http://www.audubon.org/local/sanctuary/aullwood/programs.html

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
http://www.boonshoftmuseum.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=95

Brukner Nature Center
http://www.bruknernaturecenter.com/programs.htm

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
http://www.cincyzoo.org/Education/index.html

Cox Arboretum & Gardens
http://www.coxarboretum.org/education/k12education.html

National Museum of the United States Air Force
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/education/

Newport Aquarium
http://www.newportaquarium.com/index.cfm?sectionID=74,0,0,0