Impact of Teen Science Cafes on Scientists

A Teen Science Café is an out-of-school program in which teens and STEM experts engage in conversation and activities to explore a topic related to the STEM professional’s expertise.  Teen Science Cafés are independently run and organized at more than 100 sites nationwide – from museums to libraries to aquariums.  Prior evaluation of the Teen Science Café model has demonstrated a range of impacts achieved with youth participants, but relatively little research has focused on the experience of the scientist-presenters.

This report presents findings of a sequential mixed-methods study that sought to explore the nature of the motivations and impacts experienced by scientist-presenters and to explore the value of preparation activities provided by Café organizers (which vary between sites).  Following a Phase 1 qualitative study, using in-depth interviews with past presenters, a quantitative online questionnaire was developed based on the impact themes that emerged in Phase 1, adapting scales and items from other studies of public engagement with science, as well as several measures developed specifically for this project.  The survey was administered to scientists from 14 mature Café sites, with 132 scientists responding (65% response rate).  This report presents findings about scientists' motivations and perceptions of goal fulfillment, about perceptions of impact (or lack of impact) in various areas, and the value of particular preparation activities offered by Teen Science Cafe sites.