Science of Learning Seminar
The most recent “Science of Learning” seminar sponsored by COSEE-NE at WHOI was given by Dr. James Bower, Professor of Computational Neuroscience, University of Texas Health Science Center and University of Texas, San Antonio. Dr. Bower’s talk on “Science Education Reform and Inquiry-Based Science in Cyberspace” shared his experiences from over 17 years of working in science education reform as director of the Caltech Pre-college Science Initiative. By outlining what works (and what doesn’t work) in science education reform, Dr. Bower inspired the audience to think more about their roles in science education and outreach. The talk concluded with guidance gained from developing and managing a complex online learning community of pre-teen and teenage students. This inquiry-based science education web site, Whyville.net, of which Dr. Bower is founder and CEO, has over 1.2 million registered users who spend an average of almost three hours per month engaged in the activities found there. For more information and to preview a video clip of the seminar, click here.
