When university and informal science education (ISE) staff come together to support the development of faculty-led Broader Impacts (BI) projects, it is important that both parties first identify their organization’s own unique values, capabilities, resources, and goals for the partnership. The self-inventory worksheets that follow should be completed separately by the university and ISE staff. Once completed, the university and ISE staff share their findings with one another to guide the formation of a partnership that is mutually beneficial and draws on the strengths and interests of both organizations. University and ISE staff may also combine their findings into a single partnership self-inventory outlining where values, strength, resources, and aims align best.

Note that the ultimate goal of all broader impacts work is to positively impact our communities and the practice of science itself. That said, these questions are focused primarily on the benefits from the BID approach specifically. As you work through this process, please think carefully about the potential impacts of using this specific partnership approach.