Reflecting on Practice (RoP™) is a professional learning program developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science for educators in informal learning environments such as zoos, aquariums, museums, and nature centers and is currently used in over 50 institutions across the U.S. and Canada. This program introduces educators to the latest research on learning, and how this knowledge can contribute to their teaching practice. 

Reflecting on Practice is a Learning Partner with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), approved continuing education provider for the National Association for Interpretation (NAI), and a special partner with the Association of Science-Technology Centers.

Participants can earn elective or continuing education credit towards their NAI certifications or AZA’s Professional Development Certificate in Education and Interpretation.

We are seeking leaders and/or emerging leaders (mid-level manager, coordinators, or directors) from education or volunteer departments at zoos, aquariums, museums, and nature centers to attend a Coaching Workshop to become RoP Facilitators. In this Coaching Workshop, participants will:

• become familiar with the philosophy and design of Reflecting on Practice program
• learn about the models of teaching practice and activities from the program
• connect with other RoP Facilitators in the region.

As RoP Facilitators, they take the curriculum materials and implement the program with educators at your institution over a period of 6 to 12 months. The program consists of fourteen 2.5 hour sessions organized into modules that focus on topics relevant to learning and teaching science in informal environments (see below for more details). It is designed so that all educators (both veteran and beginning educators) at your institution can learn together and from one another.

Additionally, RoP Facilitators become part of a national community of learners advancing the informal science education field. There are currently over 50 institutions around the U.S. and Canada that have adopted the program, with more institutions and educators joining the community.