Communities of Learning for Urban Environments and Science (CLUES) Final Summative Evaluation Report

In the Communities of Learning for Urban Environments and Science (CLUES) project, the four museums of the Philadelphia-Camden Informal Science Education Collaborative worked to build informal science education (ISE) capacity in historically underserved communities. The program offered comprehensive professional development (PD) to Apprentices from 8-10 community-based organizations (CBO), enabling them to develop and deliver hands-on family science workshops. Apprentices, in turn, trained Presenters from the CBOs to assist in delivering the workshops. Families attended CLUES events both at the museums and in their own communities. The events focused on environmental topics that are especially relevant to urban communities, including broad topics such as climate change and the energy cycle to more specific topics such as animals and habitats in urban neighborhoods. CLUES was funded by the National Science Foundation, with additional funding by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Goodman Research Group, Inc. conducted external process and outcomes evaluation throughout the CLUES program’s operation. GRG’s process evaluation focuses on the implementation of the family science education programs and the Apprentice and Presenter PD activities and on outcomes including family science knowledge and engagement as well as Apprentice and Presenter science knowledge, ISE skills, and interest in ISE.