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Summative

STEM Ambassadors Summative Evaluation Report

November 6, 2018 | Public Programs, Professional Development, Conferences, and Networks
This summative evaluation report presents findings and lessons learned on the STEM Ambassadors project. The STEM Ambassadors project, funded by the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program, combines elements of existing programs designed to engage STEM professionals with the public around their scientific research to create a new model for public engagement of science. This new model recruits, provides training for, and assists STEM professionals in drawing on their own interests, hobbies and backgrounds to connect with audiences that may not have access to scientists (such as prisoners, senior citizens who live in senior housing, community groups who live far from museums or science festivals/events, etc.). The aim of the project is to “stretch” scientists in their view of themselves and their skills as effective science communicators, to stretch their view of audiences who can or cannot participate actively and willingly in science outreach activities, to expand the diversity of public participants in science outreach activities, and to expand these participants’ view of scientists as people who care about and are invested in their communities, and their sense of themselves as people who can do and understand science research. The project also supported qualitative, case study research conducted by Stanford University on the impacts of the program on the STEM Ambassadors.

TEAM MEMBERS

  • REVISE logo
    Evaluator
    Inverness Research
  • Heather Mitchell
    Evaluator
    Inverness Research
  • Citation

    Funders

    NSF
    Funding Program: AISL
    Award Number: 1514494
    Funding Amount: $1,358,146.00
    Resource Type: Evaluation Reports
    Discipline: General STEM
    Audience: Adults | General Public | Scientists
    Environment Type: Public Programs | Community Outreach Programs | Professional Development, Conferences, and Networks | Professional Development and Workshops

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