1. Gauging Informal STEM Youth Program Impact: A Conceptual Framework and a Measurement Instrument
- Author
-
Claire Mitchell, Robert H. Tai, Adam V. Maltese, Ji Hoon Ryoo, Xiaoqing Kong, Angela D. Skeeles-Worley, John Almarode, and Katherine P. Dabney
- Subjects
Focus (computing) ,business.industry ,Management science ,Ecology (disciplines) ,informal stem education ,Validity ,Robotics ,Theory and practice of education ,out-of-school time science education ,Conceptual framework ,activity-based science learning ,Developmental and Educational Psychology ,informal stem program impact ,The Conceptual Framework ,Artificial intelligence ,Sociology ,Life-span and Life-course Studies ,business ,LB5-3640 - Abstract
STEM education programs are often formulated with a "hands-on activities" focus across a wide array of topics from robotics to rockets to ecology. Traditionally, the impact of these programs is based on surveys of youth on program-specific experiences or the youths’ interest and impressions of science in general. In this manuscript, we offer a new approach to analyzing science programming design and youth participant impact. The conceptual framework discussed here concentrates on the organization and analysis of common learning activities and instructional strategies. We establish instrument validity and reliability through an analysis of validity threats and pilot study results. We conclude by using this instrument in an example analysis of a STEM education program.
- Published
- 2021