TLA 2013: Informal Educator Groups

Informal Educator Groups Collaborating to Fuel Community Imagination

In the beginning…

Members + Amon Carter Museum of American Art * + Botanical Research Institute of Texas * + Fort Worth Botanical Gardens * + Fort Worth Modern Art Museum * + Fort Worth Museum of Science and History * + Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge + Fort Worth Library + Fort Worth Zoo * + Intl Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame + Kimbell Art Museum *

+ Monnig Meteorite Gallery @ Texas Christian University * + National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum and HOF (formerly Cowboys of Color Museum and Hall of Fame) + National Archives and Records Administration + National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame * + Real School Gardens + River Legacy Living Science Center * + Sid Richardson Museum * + Texas Civil War Museum + University of North Texas Health Science Center Library + Western Currency Facility (The Mint) * + University of Texas at Arlington Library * Charter Member

What topics would you like to see covered in IEFW meetings? 2005 + Collaborative Programming Among IEFW Members (4) + Incorporating Inquiry into the Visitor Experience + Tips for working with Pre-K, + Obtaining, retaining and training volunteers (2) + Effective evaluation (3) + Distance learning + Science informal education + Interpretation! This would include established approaches, as well as current research/trends; focus on approaches related to specific audiences + visitor guides (as in written materials)

Discussion topics in 2012-2013 + Storytelling and programming + Social media success stories + Communication and collaboration with your staff + Presentation topics + Meeting our Dallas neighbors

Amon Carter Museum Collaborations with IETC Organizations

+ Project Eagle: training for FWISD social studies and US history teachers. Worked in partnership with the National Archives.

+ Palo Pinto Project: supporting program for the annual book project with every school in Palo Pinto County. Worked in partnership with the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge.

+ Worth Reading: Program partner for 2014 Worth Reading program from the Fort Worth Public Library

University of Texas at Arlington Library

www.facebook.com/groups/ietctx/

International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame

What do our members value about IETC?

Visiting different locations

Sharing strategies and best practices

Networking

Socializing

Collaboration opportunities

At the Amon Carter Museum

Collaboration with NARA

Special Collections, UT Arlington Library

Sharron Wilkins Conrad Associate Director, Education and Public Programs Co-Founder, The Informal Educators of Dallas County

The tradition continues…. Informal Educators of Dallas County

Who is IEDC?

Operating since 2011

85 members on email list

35 organizations represented Museums Theaters Science Centers Historical Societies SPCA Funding organizations More!

Connected on Facebook

IEDC at the George Bush Library (Lewisville)

How does IEDC differ from IETC?

IEDC is modeled on IETC, so the basic mission is the same: networking and learning from one another. We appreciate the chance to meet bi-annually with our Tarrant County colleagues!

IEDC members do not have to have formal collections (e.g. Dallas Theater Center)

IEDC doesn’t yet have a Day in the District, but plans are underway

IEDC’s meeting times factor in happy hour….

I value IEDC because…

Cynthia Gray Cynthia.Gray@fortworthlibrary.org

Sharron Conrad Sharronc@jfk.org

Evelyn Barker ebarker@uta.edu

Katherine Moloney trc@cartermuseum.org

Jenny Sweeney Jenny.Sweeney@nara.gov

Contact us for more information