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Project Descriptions

Social Network Methods for Afterschool

September 1 - August 20, 2009 | Public Programs
The intent of this project is to use social network methods to study networks of afterschool and informal science stakeholders. It would attempt to create knowledge that improves afterschool programs access to informal science learning materials. This is an applied research study that applies research methods to improving access to and enactment of informal science education programs across a range of settings. The investigators plan to collect data from 600 community- and afterschool programs in California, conduct case studies of 10 of these programs, and conduct surveys of supporting intermediary organizations. The analysis of the data will provide descriptions of the duration, intensity, and nature of the networks among afterschool programs and intermediary agencies, and the diffusion patterns of science learning materials in afterschool programs. The project will yield actionable knowledge that will be disseminated among afterschool programs, intermediary organizations, funding agencies, and policymakers to improve the dissemination and support of afterschool science learning opportunities. The project is focused on free-choice settings where every day the largest numbers of children attend afterschool programs at schools and in other community settings. It seeks information about what conditions are necessary for informal science programs to significantly impact the largest possible number of children in these settings.

Funders

NSF
Funding Program: ISE/AISL
Award Number: 0917536
Funding Amount: 2476861

TEAM MEMBERS

  • Barbara Means
    Principal Investigator
    SRI International
  • REVISE logo
    Co-Principal Investigator
    SRI International
  • Raymond McGhee
    Co-Principal Investigator
    SRI International
  • Carlin Llorente
    Co-Principal Investigator
    SRI International
  • Discipline: Education and learning science | General STEM | History/policy/law
    Audience: Middle School Children (11-13) | Youth/Teen (up to 17) | Museum/ISE Professionals | Evaluators
    Environment Type: Public Programs | Afterschool Programs

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