Informal Education is Essential to Physics: Findings of the 2024 JNIPER Summit and Recommendations for Action
Authors:
Alexandra C. Lau,
Jessica R. Hoehn,
Michael B. Bennett,
Claudia Fracchiolla,
Kathleen Hinko,
Noah Finkelstein,
Jacqueline Acres,
Lindsey D. Anderson,
Shane D. Bergin,
Cherie Bornhorst,
Turhan K. Carroll,
Michael Gregory,
Cameron Hares,
E. L. Hazlett,
Meghan Healy,
Erik A Herman,
Lindsay R. House,
Michele W. McColgan,
Brad McLain,
Azar Panah,
Sarah A. Perdue,
Jonathan D. Perry,
Brean E. Prefontaine,
Nicole Schrode,
Michael S. Smith
, et al. (4 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
In order to reach the full civic and scientific potential of physics, this white paper calls for a culture change in physics to recognize informal physics education (also referred to as public engagement or outreach) as an essential disciplinary practice. That is, engaging in informal physics education (IPE) is part of what it means to ''do physics.'' In June 2024, we hosted a summit with forty-tw…
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In order to reach the full civic and scientific potential of physics, this white paper calls for a culture change in physics to recognize informal physics education (also referred to as public engagement or outreach) as an essential disciplinary practice. That is, engaging in informal physics education (IPE) is part of what it means to ''do physics.'' In June 2024, we hosted a summit with forty-two members of the Joint Network for Informal Physics Education and Research (JNIPER) to discuss concrete steps for fostering this cultural shift in physics. We present key findings from the Summit to motivate this culture change: IPE makes the work of physicists relevant; fosters trust and supports a society where everyone benefits from science and technology advances; serves as a gateway for entering into the physics discipline, and for staying once there; and improves physicists' skills and research. We identify three levers for promoting the culture change: structures supporting IPE; engagement of interested, influential, and/or impacted parties; and integration of research-based IPE practices. Each lever is accompanied by associated recommendations for action directed at individuals, departments and institutions, topical groups such as JNIPER, and funders and (inter)national organizations. Our clarion call is for members and supporters of the IPE community to choose one recommendation per lever to prioritize and to set forth a roadmap for implementation. Together, we can establish IPE as a central physics practice, ultimately leading to a deeper connection between physics and society, strengthening our mutual potential and impact for good.
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Submitted 24 July, 2025;
originally announced July 2025.
Motivation and needs of informal physics practitioners
Authors:
Shams El-Adawy,
Alexandra C. Lau,
Eleanor C. Sayre,
Claudia Fracchiolla
Abstract:
Physicists engage with the public to varying degrees at different stages of their careers. However, their public engagement covers many activities, events, and audiences, making their motivations and professional development needs not well understood. As part of ongoing efforts to build and support community in the informal physics space, we conducted interviews with physicists with a range of dif…
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Physicists engage with the public to varying degrees at different stages of their careers. However, their public engagement covers many activities, events, and audiences, making their motivations and professional development needs not well understood. As part of ongoing efforts to build and support community in the informal physics space, we conducted interviews with physicists with a range of different experiences in public engagement. We use personas methodology and self-determination theory to articulate their public engagement motivation, challenges, and needs. We present our set of three personas: the physicist who engages in informal physics for self-reflection, the physicist who wants to spark interest and understanding in physics, and the physicist who wants to provide diverse role models to younger students and inspire them to pursue a STEM career. Needs covered a range of resources including science communication training, community building among informal physics practitioners, and mechanisms to recognize, elevate and value informal physics. By bringing user-centered design methodology to a new topical area of physics education research, we expand our understanding of motivations and needs of practitioners in physics public engagement. Therefore, departments, organizations and institutions could draw upon the personas developed to consider the ways to better support physicists in their respective environment.
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Submitted 30 May, 2023;
originally announced May 2023.