ABSTRACT

Opportunities to engage with science exist in a variety of non-formal educational contexts, but rarely have studies examined ways to leverage science interest and learning at community science events and other single-attendance occasions. This study builds on Yeager and Walton’s (2011) concept of brief, wise interventions by using open-ended prompts to explore attendees’ engagement during a solar eclipse viewing event. Written responses from 79 adults revealed multiple motivations for attendance. Further, these responses illustrated that attendees expanded their literal and metaphorical meaning making about the eclipse. We explore the utility of brief intervention prompts in the context of existing theories of informal science engagement and discuss implications for supporting and understanding visitors’ motivation and engagement at public science events.

摘要

与科学互动的机会存在于各种非正规的教育环境中，但是很少有研究研究在社区科学活动和其他单身出席场合中利用科学兴趣和学习的方法。这项研究基于Yeager和Walton（2011）的简短明智的干预措施概念，通过使用开放式提示来探索参与者在日食观看活动中的参与度。来自79位成年人的书面答复显示出勤的多种动机。此外，这些答复表明，与会者扩大了关于日食的字面意义和隐喻意义。