Given limited funding for school-based science education, non-school-based programs have been developed at colleges and universities to increase the number of students entering science- and health-related careers and address critical workforce needs. However, few evaluations of such programs have been conducted. We report the design and methods of…

This study investigated the use of a contextually sensitive instrument to assess the effect of invasive species monitoring training on the scientific literacy of citizen volunteers. The authors measured scientific literacy scores before and after 57 citizens participated in a 2-day event to learn to monitor invasive species with an instrument…

This paper addresses the transition of community college students to degree programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The paper presents the results of an evaluation of a two-week residential summer bridge program that recruited community college students from a wide range of academic, ethnic, and socioeconomic…

This dissertation addresses the question of how structured out-of-school-time settings, such as afterschool programs and summer camps, are positioned to support children's engagement and learning in science. This study addresses a gap in the research literature that does not fully specify the nature of the out-of-school-time (OST) setting and that…

In this article, the authors provide an overview and critically analyze three successful faculty-developed urban K-12 science outreach programs. They consider a successful outreach program as one that has been sustained for at least five years after initial funding, and has provided empirically-based research findings from the program.…

In 1978 Congress directed the National Science Foundation to conduct a national needs assessment of science education in two-year colleges. Volume I of the final report describes the design of the study, the findings, and the recommendations. A separate volume, Volume II (SE 033 604), contains appendices which provide supporting materials, as well…

Volume II of a national needs assessment of science education in two-year colleges, consists of six appendices which provide supporting material and supplementary tabulations of data related to the study described in Volume I (SE 033 603). Appendices A, B, and C consist of descriptions of the following in subsequent order: sample design and the…

This paper presents results evaluating the National Science Foundation's Comprehensive Assistance to Undergraduate Science Education (CAUSE) program focusing on: (1) institutional needs; (2) project implementation; (3) quality of instructional improvement; (4) evaluation; (5) project costs; and (6) recommendations. Evaluation methods included…

This publication was written for use by the Department of Defense Dependent Schools Pacific Region science coordinators, school principals, science department chairs and teachers as they worked to identify strengths and weaknesses of science programs in middle and high schools. It can also be used by science coordinators, during school visits.…

Presented is a discussion on how an evaluator can function effectively in a Science and Technology Center, using an evaluation model on experience in evaluating exhibits at the Lawrence Hall of Science over a six-year period. The approach in this paper is described for four areas: (1) evaluation of currently available exhibits and programs; (2)…

The Six Flags Over Georgia amusement park is the setting for a one-day laboratory exercise and evaluation of high school students' understanding of physics. The concepts and general techniques measured and the park's resources are discussed. Sample student responses are included. (JN)

Investigates some of the evaluation methodologies presently being advocated in assessing the merits of education programs for training science teachers. Questionnaire data from ex-students were used to elicit raw data and an understanding of these data by a newer methodology involving ordering theory. (CS)

Describes a process for developing alternative assessment instruments and student responses and illustrates the use of scoring rubrics. Focus is on the student's thought processes and student performance. (AIM)

This four-part book shows how teachers, counselors, directors, and administrators can assess and evaluate their mathematics and science programs. The examples provided are drawn primarily from programs for women, but the methodology is generalizable to interventions for various populations. The two chapters in part I give an overview of the…