Free-Choice Learning Initiative
LEARNING HOW WE LEARN
As the name suggests, free-choice learning is all about deciding what, where, and how we want to learn over the course of our lifetimes.
In 2004, Oregon Sea Grant created a Free-choice Learning program to recognize and support research on the marine science learning that happens when people choose to visit science museums, zoos, and aquariums in their leisure time, making specific and conscious choices about what they learn.
In the years since, the program has come to be recognized as uniquely innovative and successful in an ever-widening circle of influence and partners.
Use the submenus at left to navigate the Free Choice Learning pages
WATCH A SHORT VIDEO ABOUT FREE-CHOICE LEARNING BELOW (03:11)
CREATING A STRONG, SYNERGISTIC PRESENCE
The Hatfield Marine Science Visitor Center provides a unique venue for free-choice learning research, education, and professional-development opportunities and cutting-edge exhibits.
Graduate academic programs in free-choice learning are available in three departments on the Oregon State University campus -- Science and Math Education (SMED), Marine Resource Management (MRM), and Environmental Sciences.
In addition, our free-choice learning program is one of six partners along the west coast developing education programming and research opportunities for community college students, faculty, informal science educators and marine education volunteers in Oregon, Washington, California, and Hawaii.
The latest free-choice learning research and findings from each of the above levels of activity and focus are then shared nationally and internationally at through conference presentations.
From a small science center in Newport, Oregon, the ripples of our research are spreading far and wide.
