Skip to main content
COMMUNITY:
Peer-reviewed article

Strategies for evaluating informal science education: Identifying and measuring meaningful indicators of program effectiveness for a mobile laboratory program

November 14, 2016 | Public Programs, Informal/Formal Connections
MobiLLab is a mobile science education program designed to awaken young people’s interest in science and technology (S&T). To guide program development, mobiLLab leaders sought to identify and assess meaningful indicators of program effectiveness. Through an exploratory background investigation, we identified the following indicators: participant satisfaction; usefulness of classroom preparation materials; and pupils’ outcomes (S&T interest, attitude and self-concept). Results of a mixed-methods pilot investigation indicated that pupils and teachers are satisfied with their mobiLLab experiences and elicited teacher suggestions for specific program improvements. Pupils’ outcomes changed slightly or not at all from before to after the visit. Investigation results indicated that factors that influence these outcomes are classroom preparation time and pupils’ comfort interacting with technology. This two-step investigation offers a model for evaluating the effectiveness of informal science education programs.

TEAM MEMBERS

  • Cors 19JanHeadshot
    Author
    MobiLLab
  • Citation

    :
    Publication Name: Journal of the Finnish University of Applied Sciences

    Funders

    Private Foundation
    Resource Type: Research Products
    Discipline: General STEM
    Audience: Youth/Teen (up to 17) | Educators/Teachers | Museum/ISE Professionals | Learning Researchers
    Environment Type: Public Programs | Laboratory Programs | Informal/Formal Connections | K-12 Programs

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