The Lawrence Hall of Science
The public science center of the University of California, Berkeley.
Open Wednesday - Sunday 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
On a visit to The Lawrence, students collaborate to investigate new ideas as they become scientists and engineers for a day.
We partner with school districts to support science learning. We offer district-wide elementary, middle, and high school programs, either virtually or in-person.
We collaborate with a range of partners to innovate in science education. Together, we go further.
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The Lawrence Hall of Science, as the public science center of the University of California, Berkeley, is a learning lab — a place where world-class researchers engage with key questions and major challenges that face the field of science, technology, engineering, and math education. We conduct research in aid of developing new products and programs (our own and others), to tighten the research-practice cycle, and to ensure broadening participation through learning how to break down systemic barriers and inequities in STEM education.
Our team includes researchers with extensive experience conducting and presenting research in formal and informal STEM education, with methodological expertise leading large and small scale evaluations, design-based research, assessment and measurement development, participatory and community based-research, and supporting broader impacts for core research conducted across STEM fields. Further, each of the Lawrence’s four strategic initiatives work to advance our research agenda for questions related to K12 STEM education, STEM pathways, environmental education, and learning at the intersection of science, technology, and society.
This four-year National Science Foundation-funded project engages youth of color between 14 and 18 years of age, who live in […]
The Lawrence Hall of Science received a three-year National Science Foundation (NSF) grant (award #1849958) to create the Energy Interns […]
Researchers and learning designers from the University of California, Berkeley wanted to find out more about how older adults engage […]
The Lawrence Hall of Science is engaging in a three-year project (Institute of Museum and Library Services, Grant #MG-40-18-0005-18) that […]
These videos showcase federally funded projects at the Lawrence aimed at improving STEM and computer science education. Videos share strategies to broaden participation, increase access, and equity.
View all of our Research Spotlight Videos.
Discover the long-term positive impact on the field of outdoor science education of the Better Environmental Education, Teaching, Learning, and Expertise Sharing (BEETLES) project in our latest research brief.
Researchers at The Lawrence, in collaboration with WestEd and SRI International, are developing an approach to assessing science learning in first grade. Learn more about the Next Generation Science Assessments for Young Scientists.
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Have questions about the work that we do? We’d love to speak to you.
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Through our work we promote powerful learning opportunities for all students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). We conduct research on innovations in STEM learning, particularly those that reach chronically underserved and underrepresented populations. Our work produces insights to inform research, policy, and practice in STEM education.
We believe that the utility and validity of our work is enhanced through a culturally responsive and equitable stance that gives explicit attention to issues of race, gender, social class, power and privilege, and the voices of populations that have been systematically marginalized and underserved. Embedded in our work is the practice of continuing reflective conversations with ourselves and others around the alignment of aspirations/intentions and actions.
Our researchers are highly skilled at presenting findings and insights before diverse audiences. At the Research Group, we tailor our research dissemination efforts to suit each project’s type and needs. We choose from a variety of dissemination options, including: reports (formal research reports, web-based reports, legislative reports, and the like); publications (peer-reviewed journals, educator venues, and others); research and policy briefs; and presentations to various stakeholders. We often present to project participants, leaders and developers, organizational boards, and policy-making bodies. We also present at national, state, and regional conferences such as those of the American Educational Research Association, the American Evaluation Association, the Association of Science-Technology Centers, the National Association of Research in Science Teaching, the National Science Teachers Association, and the Visitor Studies Association.
Our evaluation services include the following methods and products:
We provide a range of assessment services for various projects and organizations. Our assessment work is multifaceted and specifically designed for the learning setting in which Science, Technology, Education, and Mathematics (STEM) education takes place. Our services may include any or all of the following:
Members of our team have considerable experience and expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research methods and have amassed deep content knowledge in science and mathematics.