Connected Science Learning: Linking In-School and Out-of-School STEM Educators – Formative Evaluation Report

This report details the formative evaluation study conducted through collaboration with the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) to inform the iterative development and piloting of the Connected Science Learning: Connecting In-School and Out-of-School STEM Learning journal. The journal was the result of an Early Concept Grant for Exploratory Research (EAGER) project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop, disseminate and evaluate a new resource for connecting STEM education practitioners across settings and to the teaching and learning knowledge base. The study reported here focused on the following evaluation questions:
1. To what extent is the target audience aware of the CSL journal and the launch of the first pilot issue?
2. Overall, how satisfied is the target audience with the CSL journal and first pilot issue?
3. What do target audiences perceive as the potential value of the CSL journal?
4. What aspects of the CSL journal and first pilot issue were particularly successful and why?
5. How could the CSL journal be improved to better meet the needs and expectations of the target audiences?