Center for Advancement of Informal Science Education (CAISE)

What is informal science education?

Informal science education supports people of all ages and walks of life in exploring science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

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April 17, 2009 at 9:29 am by: Wendy Pollock

Assessment tools for informal science learning

Looking for assessment tools to help evaluate quality and outcomes of informal science programs? ATIS (Assessment Tools in Informal Science), a searchable database of tools for evaluating science learning and child outcomes in out-of-school programs, is now available.

ATIS was developed by PEAR, the Harvard University-McLean Hospital Program in Education, Afterschool, and Resiliency, under the leadership of Gil G. Noam. "Afterschool programs are gaining recognition as settings that hold great potential for increasing scientific literacy and engagement in youth," the developers write. "Yet some questions remain: How do we know when afterschool programs achieve their goals? What evaluative tools should we use when assessing afterschool science programs? How can we be sure the evaluative tools we use are valid and reliable--are they appropriately measuring science programming and outcomes?"

To help answer those questions, PEAR undertook a year-long study of the current state and needs of the informal science assessment world, with support from the Noyce Foundation. The study design was based on the Framework for Evaluating Impacts of Informal Science Education Projects, edited by Alan J. Friedman, with support from NSF. The PEAR study yielded an in-depth, analytical review of existing evaluation tools, documented in the 2008 report Toward a Systematic Evidence Base for Science in Out-of-School Time: The Role of Assessment. The new, searchable ATIS website makes information about these assessment tools easily accessible. Users are invited to contribute reviews of instruments they are using. The site will be continuously updated in collaboration with youth development researchers at 4-H.

26/4-12 at 20.33 by: Reda ( nospam@Reda )

I, Hugo Marfleet, Chairman of Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board went along to the Vienna meeting.I arrvied and met up and introduced myself to the other members of the four committees involved. The evening was very good getting to know the other members and discussing the agenda of Climate Change and the different impacts it can have on the different European countries.The next day we started at 9am and went through the agenda. Re climate change it was agreed that each committee would respond with its own comments back to HQ who would then compile a formal response.I was impressed by the dialog and the work of CEEP. I spoke about the defence of our coast line and the coastal communities, agricultural land at risk and the fear of developing in the coastal areas both for private and public services. This lead to the debate of mitigation and adaptation Water use for agriculture was discussed and we hear of innovative ways from fellow countries and hoe they are responding. The Chairman of the Energy committee gave a good account of the issues relating to Europe and the need for research and development and security.There was a dicussion on plastic bags. With the energy from waste being developed around the countries using the product and shipping issues, weight of paper bags etc it was left to the experts to respond to the consultation August, giving the pros and cons.In the afternoon we went around the new Energy from Waste plant that take the waste from Vienna, very impressive, processing 250,000 tonnes of residual waste providing energy for 25,000 Viennese households and covering the district heat demand for 50,000 Viennese households.A brief summary, but a good meeting.Thank youHugo Marfleet

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