APEX Science Year Three Summative Evaluation

The Miami Museum of Science and Planetarium (MMS) received funding from the National Science Foundation in 2004 to develop and implement After-school Programs Exploring (APEX Science). APEX Science is a three-year project designed to enhance the capacity of community-based organizations (CBOs) to deliver quality science after-school programming for children ages 5-10. This report provides the results of the summative evaluation which focused on the extent to which: 1) APEX Science curriculum increases CBO activity leaders' interest, awareness, and appreciation of science and level of comfort and confidence in conducting science activities; and 2) APEX Science increases parents' interest, awareness, and appreciation of science learning and family conversations/dialogs focused on science; and increase engagement in family science activities. A multiple methods evaluation design was employed to document the impact APEX Science has had on activity leaders and parents. The data from this study suggest that the Miami Science Museum has developed a replicable afterschool program model. Key findings include: APEX Science had a positive impact on building the capacity of CBO providers to engage children in hands-on investigative science learning. There was a statistically significant shift in activity leaders' mean scores on program measures related to interest and understanding of science, comfort and confidence for teaching science, and connecting science to everyday life. APEX Science training is replicable. The shift in activity leaders' mean scores on program measures was statistically significant whether they had direct training from Museum staff of training from CBO staff. Professional development conducted by APEX-trained CBO staff was perceived by participants as highly valuable. APEX Science is perceived as a highly valuable professional development opportunity, providing the tools and knowledge necessary to teach scientific concepts and conduct associated activities that they would otherwise be unable to do in their after school programs. The mean scores for APEX Science teaching materials indicate the high level of value that activity leaders place on this component. The connection between to APEX Science programming and family science learning could not be established.

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