Celebrating Science - A Family Science Project
Sustaining Family Science Programs Home
Steps in Planning Family Science Events
Steps in Implementing Family Science Events
Steps in Evaluating Family Science Events
Follow-up Projects
Download PDF



  Steps in Evaluating Family Science Events

Conduct Program Evaluation
The successful growth of any program depends on the time committed to evaluate and re-evaluate the target audience's needs. This table outlines the types of evaluations that are helpful in growing a comprehensive community-based science program that supports science education reform efforts. Go to Forms section for examples of each suggested evaluation.



Needs
Assessment
Formative
Evaluation
Summative
Evaluation
PROGRAM
EVALUATION
INITIAL
EVALUATION
DURING EVENT
EVALUATION
FINAL
EVALUATION
Identify purpose
of evaluation
 Clarify program goals, processes, and outcomes Assess specific event outcomes Assess program goals
Identify audience
 Partners and other Triangle of Support members Participants, event and activity facilitators, volunteers, and Planning Group Planning Group
Identify venues
for data collection
 Meetings During community-based science events Meetings
Determine data collection methods
 Informal interviews Written survey Surveys and informal interviews Collection of surveys
Logistics
 [Assess program needs]

Each year before planning an event, assess the program's needs. 		[Debrief after events]

With questionnaires in hand, the Planning Group should take some time to discuss what went well and what could be improved for the next event. 		[Define next steps for program]

After all events have taken place, the Planning Group will have a better picture of the phase of community participation and the current stage of science reform efforts and be ready to consider new ways of growing the program.
Resources Forms Complete Guide Credits
Copyright© 2007 by Institute for Systems Biology. All Rights Reserved.