Summative Case Study: RVAir

How to Use

Consult this case study to explore a multi-year partnership between an informal science center and a community-based partner focused on youth leadership, conservation, and recreation. Though this project is specific to environmental monitoring, generalizable recommendations can be drawn for other partnerships between science centers and their communities: 

• Create welcoming spaces: Groundworks RVA interviewees reflected on Science Museum staff listening to and accommodating partner needs, like hosting RVAir meetings at community locations (not only at the museum); adjusting for after-hours programming to accommodate teen schedules; and coordinating with museum security team to allow for free mobility of teen participants throughout museum spaces. 
• Consider resource-light programming: partners celebrated the simple data collection process that required only a tablet and mobile sensor. Rapid set up and data collection/visualization allowed for rich conversation that made scientific phenomena immediately tangible to teen participants, helping them understand the implications of scientific data in their own lives. 
• Seek reciprocity: interviewees report that as this partnership evolved the planning process became more intentional and collaborative, with both organizations seeking novel funding sources and models to better support the other. Such a scenario allows for new programmatic directions that can increase and positively benefit teen participants, such as paid skill-building opportunities.