Earth: The Operators’ Manual Summative Evaluation

Funded by NSF, Earth: The Operators’ Manual (ETOM) is a users’ guide to the present and future energy resources of our planet, providing “users” with the information, attitudes and tools to make wiser choices about powering homes, schools, businesses and communities. ETOM uses a hybrid model of science communication including video + in-person presentations + Web 2.0 social networking. Rockman et al evaluated project impact, working from front-end to summative stages to understand the reactions of media, online and on-site audiences using both qualitative and quantitative measures to look at audience and participant responses in terms of audience knowledge, attitudes and behaviors. In the formative evaluation, REA monitored the appeal, value and usability of the four ETOM components (television programming, museum activities and events, website, and Facebook page) through focus groups and usability studies. In the summative evaluation, REA conducted post-only studies of impacts for the television programming, website, museum outreach events, and social media.