Biological field stations (BFSs) are well positioned through their informal STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education programs to improve levels of science literacy and support environmental sustainability. A survey of 223 US BFSs revealed that their outreach programs strive to promote conservation and environmental stewardship in addition to disseminating place-based knowledge and/or skills. In this article, we unpack the educational approaches that BFSs use to engage learners, the aspects of science literacy most often addressed, and the perceived learning outcomes. Most notably, the BFSs reported that their participants develop an interest in and excitement for science, increase or change their knowledge of program topics, identify more with the scientific enterprise, and engage in scientific practices. The results indicate opportunities for BFSs to conduct more rigorous assessments of participant learning and program impact. By focusing on learner engagement, science learning, and participant outcomes, BFSs and other place-based informal education venues can expand their efforts and better support conservation and science learning.

中文翻译：

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生物野外站通过外展促进科学素养

生物野外站 (BFS) 通过其非正式的 STEM（科学、技术、工程和数学）教育计划处于有利地位，可提高科学素养水平并支持环境可持续性。对 223 个美国 BFS 的调查显示，他们的外展计划除了传播基于地方的知识和/或技能外，还努力促进保护和环境管理。在本文中，我们解开 BFS 用于吸引学习者的教育方法、最常涉及的科学素养方面以及感知的学习成果。最值得注意的是，BFS 报告说，他们的参与者对科学产生了兴趣和兴奋，增加或改变了他们对项目主题的了解，更多地认同科学事业，并参与科学实践。结果表明 BFS 有机会对参与者学习和项目影响进行更严格的评估。通过专注于学习者参与、科学学习和参与者成果，BFS 和其他基于地方的非正式教育场所可以扩大努力，更好地支持保护和科学学习。