Science education doesn't just happen in the classroom. It happens in museums, in magazines, on the web—even on TV.
Since 2003, when the Discovery Channel teamed with NSTA to create the annual Faraday Science Communicator Award, NSTA has honored individuals who are not classroom teachers but who work in or have developed a compatible setting for science communication—e.g., museum, nature center, zoo, state park, aquarium, radio, television, internet, and other science-rich institutions and/or media. The awardees to date:
2003: Paul Doherty
2004: Richard Hudson, Dragonfly TV
2005: Bernard Zubrowski, Education Development Center
2006: Rob Semper, Exploratorium
2007: Ira Flatow, National Public Radio's Science Friday
For informal resources that helped shape many of today's science leaders, pay a visit to Mr. Wizard's Studios. An NSTA president recently recalled how she used to rush home from school to watch Mr. Wizard on television and how Don Herbert became her inspiration to pursue a career in science education. It's hard to imagine a more compelling case for informal science education.
NSTA also administers the Distinguished Informal Science Education Award, which honors NSTA members who are not classroom teachers and who have demonstrated their dedication to informal science education.