Receive Professional Development Training in Science Education or Outreach  become prepared to actively engage in outreach efforts. Contact organizations that offer training appropriate for work in education reform in order to become involved. 

• Research indicates that professional development for scientists and engineers can greatly influence understanding of effective teaching skills and the process of inquiry-based education. Scientists can apply this enhanced knowledge to outreach efforts to enhance the impact of their outreach on student attitude and achievement.
  • Thiry, H, Laursen, S.L, Hunter, Anne-Barrie. Professional Development Needs and Outcomes for Education-Engaged Scientists: A Research Based Approach. Journal of Geoscience Education.
• Research from the workshop “Telling Your Story,” held at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in 2004, indicates that professional development addressing how to conduct outreach efforts is beneficial for scientists in the following ways: increasing knowledge about best practices, confidence in personal abilities and information to contribute, motivation to visit classrooms, and validation of the importance and efficiency of certain practices.
  • Lesley Universities Centers and Institutes, Program Evaluation and Research Group. NE COSEE: Telling Your Story Pilot Workshop, January 22, 20004. Report on Survey Findings. 
• Research from the Space Science Institute on “Workshops for Scientists and Engineers on Education and Public Outreach” addresses the structure, agenda, and accomplishments of a workshop addressing this topic.
  • As a result of the workshop, studies indicate that scientists and engineers report increased involvement with outreach efforts, more confident overtures to teachers, adjustments or initiation of grant proposals that address new insight into education, changes to teaching philosophy and practice, increased communication and advocacy with colleagues, and lasting connections with fellow workshop participants.
  • Morrow, C.A., and Dusenbery, P.B. Workshops for Scientists and Engineers.
• Professional development appropriate to train scientists and engineers for outreach efforts can be either context specific—directed toward preparing individuals for work with a specific project—or directed toward increasing knowledge of and ability in inquiry-based science instruction.
  • Contact the NSRC for information about locating appropriate programs or arranging an NSRC PD course for your institution or organization