Field Testing Smithsonian Science for Global Goals

Field Testing Smithsonian Science for Global Goals

Do you want to field test a new module from the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals project?  

The Smithsonian Science Education Center is committed to producing research-based, engaging, educational materials for global youth. The field testing process invites educators from around the world to test the material in their own learning communities and give us feedback. This feedback ensures that  the final product accurately reflects the needs and goals of a global educational community. Smithsonian Science for Global Goals is a set of freely available community research guides that engage youth ages 8-17 to understand the science that underlies the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and take sustainable actions in their own communities.  

Not sure if you are ready to field test a Smithsonian Science for Global Goals module? Join one of our Info Session! Information below. 

Learn more about field testing

To learn more about field testing, please view our information session here. 

Field Testing Schedule

Each community research guide has seven parts. Each part is estimated to take 2-4 weeks to complete. Field testers should commit to using at least one part with their students (see field test schedule below) and we invite you to test additional parts as time allows!  

This schedule is flexible, so if it does not fit with your school calendar or your scope and sequence, please communicate your specific needs and interest in field testing so that we can work with you.  We invite field testers to move at their own pace, and to take on parts of the content as they are able. 

Part 1 – Available Late November 2020 

Part 2 – Available December 2020 

Part 3 – Available January 2021 

Part 4 – Available February 2021  

Part 5 – Available March 2021 

Part 6 – Available April 2021  

Part 7 – Available December 2020  

Feedback due to Smithsonian - May 15, 2021

About Biodiversity!

The Biodiversity! community research guide addresses the following research question: How can we balance the needs of humans with the needs of other living things on Earth? While engaging with this question, students will explore the variety of living things on Earth, the interdependence and relationships between living things, conservation strategies and methods, how scientists assess biodiversity, and how students can assess biodiversity in their own community. This guide is aligned with the following Sustainable Development Goals: Goal 2 (Zero hunger), Goal 5 (Gender equality), Goal 14 (Life below water), Goal 15 (Life on Land) and Goal 16 (Peace, justice, and strong institutions).  

About Sustainable Communities!

The Sustainable Communities! community research guide addresses the following research question: How can we create healthier, happier communities? While engaging with this question, students will explore how the issues of safe and affordable housing, green, equitable, public spaces, accessible transportation, and methods of waste management. This guide is aligned with the following Sustainable Development Goals: Goal 1 (No poverty), Goal 6 (Clean water and sanitation), Goal 9 (Industry, innovation, and infrastructure), Goal 10 (Reduced inequalities), Goal 11 (Sustainable cities and communities) 

What do field testers do?

As a field tester for Smithsonian Science for Global Goals, you will implement one of the guides with your students and provide regular feedback to our curriculum developers. You will get early access to the pre-publication versions of Biodiversity! and Sustainable Communities!, engage with curriculum developers, providing valuable feedback for future development, and join a network of implementers around the world! The Smithsonian Science Education Center team will work with you to ensure that the materials are delivered in the format that works best for your learning community, and that you can generate feedback in the most convenient method for you. 

What else do I need to know about field testing?
  • Smithsonian Science for Global Goals is not a basal science curriculum, but is instead a socio-scientific curriculum that is transdisciplinary. Field testers must be flexible and open to the unique learning framework embedded in the community research guides, and must have time in their schedule to include this material.

  • Only individuals who interact with young learners on a consistent basis and who can commit to using this new content on an ongoing basis are eligible to be field testers.

  • Due to the constraints of COVID-19, field testing can take place in-person, through distance learning, or in a hybrid environment. 

  • We ask field testers to provide open, honest feedback over the course of the designated timeline.

  • All materials will be distributed to field testers electronically. 

  • All materials will be distributed in English, but field testers can facilitate the content in any language they wish to.

  • If you have additional questions about field testing, please refer to the info session above, or email Katherine P. Blanchard (BlanchardKP@si.edu) and Logan Schmidt (SchmidtL@si.edu).