Summative Case Study: The Science Museum of Virginia and Groundwork RVA’s Community Science Partnership

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 any community-science center partnerships: 

• 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.