Fostering STEAM Summative Evaluation Report

Fostering STEAM, funded by NSF grant “Collaborative Research: Advancing professional development and broadening participation in informal science learning via the integration of the science and art of color,” provided professional development to informal educators – librarians, science center staff, and after school program staff – through a three-part professional development program that included: 1) in-person workshops that leveraged the Colors of Nature kits focused on the biology, chemistry, and optics of color to teach about STEAM practices; 2) online, asynchronous learning activities featuring interactive instructional videos around the Fostering STEAM practices; and synchronous sessions to debrief content and foster communities of practice; and 3) coaching to support design work around the development or redesign of STEAM activities. In addition, Fostering STEAM provided in-person workshops to K-12 educators in partnership with the National Art Educators Association (NAEA). This report presents This report provides the Fostering STEAM summative evaluation findings and addresses the question: What aspects of the professional development were particularly effective and contributed most to the achieved outcomes? Fostering STEAM, funded by NSF grant “Collaborative Research: Advancing professional development and broadening participation in informal science learning via the integration of the science and art of color,” provided professional development to informal educators – librarians, science center staff, and after school program staff – through a three-part professional development program that included: 1) in-person workshops that leveraged the Colors of Nature kits focused on the biology, chemistry, and optics of color to teach about STEAM practices; 2) online, asynchronous learning activities featuring interactive instructional videos around the Fostering STEAM practices; and synchronous sessions to debrief content and foster communities of practice; and 3) coaching to support design work around the development or redesign of STEAM activities. In addition, Fostering STEAM provided in-person workshops to K-12 educators in partnership with the National Art Educators Association (NAEA). This report provides the Fostering STEAM summative evaluation findings and addresses the question: What aspects of the professional development were particularly effective and contributed most to the achieved outcomes?