A brief overview and a couple things you might use to get your feet wet.
Index:
Get information
Think about what you want
Try something with low commitment
Partner with someone
It's probably useful to learn a little about teaching basics and science standards -- it's not hard to get into the vocabulary, and it shows that you have some clue about what you're trying to do. I also recommend signing up for some of the electronic subscriptions - this will get you in touch with others who have common interests. Talk about science education at your institution - often people are active but quiet about it. If you find someone active in education, the best way to get your feet wet is to join them - assist, observe, whatever. If you can't find anything locally, try your favorite professional organization. The AAS and DPS both hold teacher workshops or other educational activities in conjunction with their science conferences. The AAS has also started an Education Initiative.
What you choose as a first activity may depend on why you are doing this in the first place. Those of us educated on taxpayer's money may feel an obligation to return some of that investment in a direct way. It does something good for the future of your community and country. Some funders of research are now looking for educational components in grant proposals. It's a good way to get some perspective on yourself, science, and your research. It's fun and satisfying to share science with others. It's a way to express the livelier part of your personality without being unprofessional; you can share your passion for science as well as your knowledge.
Thinking about what you want is important in order to keep your perspective. Scientists often get asked to do things they can't, shouldn't, or don't want to do. We are not an infinite resource, and the people we interact with may not have any idea of what's realistic for us. We are also not omniscent -- it's important to respect the strengths of the people we're working with and those we're trying to reach. Our particular strengths are our knowledge, skills, perspective, understanding of how science works, our connections and some resources, and sometimes clout. And ourselves -- as role models, reality checks (against the popular image of "rocket scientists"), and caring human beings. Please don't underestimate the significance of this -- just being a real, normal human being talking in plain English can reach people and spark their interest in science.
Try something with low commitment
If you're in it for fun or perspective, then do things that'll get you involved with your community. Do you like to be on stage or behind the scenes? If the former, then try a classroom visit, a visit with a youth group, or a talk. If you'd rather not be in the spotlight, then volunteer to be a science fair judge, attend your local school board meetings, or participate in one of the science-question services. Contact your local amateur astronomy club and see if they do public education. Contact a science center or planetarium (many schools have a planetarium) and see if there are single events for which you can volunteer.
If you need more substantial K-12 educational activities for your proposal or other requirements, but have no experience with K-12 or public education, then I strongly recommend finding a partner. There's a wide variety of experience needed to do a good educational project, and it usually takes several people. Resist the urge to develop educational materials - most of them just get stuck on a shelf. Try one of the above activities to get your feet wet, and read some of the literature so you know the key terms and concepts. Then work with a partner to do a small project (teacher workshop session, troup leader session, etc.), do a small piece of a larger project (science fair tutoring, contributing to someone else's outreach project, etc.), or replicate a successful project locally. The first time you do something, try to reach a small number of people effectively, rather than going for a large audience. If you need the numbers, make your small audience teachers or group leaders, so your successes will multiply (but any failures will not). Expect it to take 3-5 years to get a new program running and the bugs worked out, especially if it involves schools and the school year.
Go (back) to the Astronomer's Education Notebook or Elizabeth Roettger's Homepage.
Created 14 March 1995, last revised 15 June 1997
by Elizabeth E. Roettger, roettger@ix.netcom.com
URL: http://www.nthelp.com/eer/AENget_started.html