The project will conduct a mapping study to describe the contexts, characteristics and practices of a national sample of science-focused Out-of-School Time (OST) programs. The study targets OST programs for middle- and high-school-aged youth, including after-school programs, camps, workshops, internships, and other models. While millions of dollars are invested in these programs, and tens of thousands of students participate , as a community, we have no truly comprehensive view of the wide variety of formats, audiences, and approaches that are represented by the many active programs. Where, when, and by whom are these science-rich programs conducted? What types of experiences do they offer to what kinds of students, with what goals? What organizational and experiential factors affect the outcomes for these youth? Ultimately, we wish to understand how these differences in program design are related to youth outcomes such as STEM learning, attitudes and interest, and their later career and educational choices. To answer these questions, we are gathering data through documents, interviews, and the online MOST-Science Questionnaire.
Project Products
Funders
NSF
Funding Program:
ISE/AISL
Award Number:
1010953
Funding Amount:
293895
NSF
Funding Program:
ISE/AISL
Award Number:
1010935
Funding Amount:
149062
TEAM MEMBERS
University of Colorado Boulder
Contributor
Xitao Fan
Co-Principal Investigator
University of Virginia
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