Skip to main content
COMMUNITY:
Peer-reviewed article

Shared Measures for Evaluating Common Outcomes of Informal STEM Education Experiences

August 15, 2018 | Media and Technology, Public Programs, Professional Development, Conferences, and Networks, Exhibitions, Informal/Formal Connections
Since the late 2000s, interest in the development and use of shared measures in the informal science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education (ISE) field has increased. The intent is to build the capacity of evaluators to measure common outcomes of ISE experiences. We begin this chapter with a definition of shared measures, a description of related technical qualities of these measures, and a discussion of benefits and concerns around the use of shared measures. We then review recent conversations and developments around shared measures, including examples of observational and survey tools to measure common ISE outcomes. Three case studies of shared measure efforts provide an in-depth look into the development of shared survey measures and highlight promising lessons for future initiatives. Building from these successes, we outline recommendations for the future of shared measures in ISE. These include adopting a multifaceted approach to enhancing measurement capacity among evaluators, supporting new kinds of collaborative work among evaluators, and increasing access to instruments and tools.

TEAM MEMBERS

  • 11794309 10153154279351443 7751787890874135798 o
    Author
    Science Museum of Minnesota
  • 2015 Fall PI Days 9081 copy 2
    Author
    Science Museum of Minnsota
  • All Photos 0268 isorg
    Author
    Museum of Science, Boston
  • Headshot 2
    Author
    Karen Peterman Consulting, Co.
  • 886348 468433843346698 6409635745938296887 o
    Author
    Museum of Science, Boston
  • Citation

    ISSN : 1097-6736
    Publication Name: New Directions for Evaluation
    Volume: 161

    Funders

    NSF
    Funding Program: PRIME
    Award Number: 1335883
    Funding Amount: $249,931
    NSF
    Funding Program: AISL
    Award Number: 1423050
    Funding Amount: $202,752
    IMLS
    Funding Program: National Leadership Grants for Museums
    Award Number: MG-20-14-0060-14
    Funding Amount: $460,292
    Resource Type: Research Products | Research and Evaluation Instruments
    Discipline: Education and learning science | General STEM
    Audience: Museum/ISE Professionals | Evaluators
    Environment Type: Media and Technology | Public Programs | Professional Development, Conferences, and Networks | Exhibitions | Informal/Formal Connections

    If you would like to edit a resource, please email us to submit your request.