ZoomSciTraining: Learn to Lead Science Activites Evaluation

Goodman Research Group, Inc. (GRG), a research firm in Cambridge, Massachusetts specializing in program evaluation, has been conducting external evaluation of ZOOM for WGBH-TV Boston since 1998. GRG's Season VI evaluation comprised a pilot test to investigate the effectiveness of the new online ZOOMSCITM TRAINING: LEARN TO LEAD SCIENCE ACTIVITIES (ZOOMsci Training), a self-directed, online tutorial designed to help afterschool educators learn how to lead hands-on science activities with kids ages 8 to 11. The goal of the training is to motivate leaders, help them develop science-teaching skills, and enable them to access the resources they need to conduct science activities or to enhance the activities they may already be using. GRG sought to answer two questions: (1) Is the ZOOMsci Training an effective tool?, and (2) How do different levels of training influence outcomes? To answer these questions, GRG recruited Girl Scout leaders from four national GSUSA councils to participate in a pilot test with their Junior Girl Scouts (age group: 8-11 years). Councils included: Girl Scouts of San Francisco Bay (CA), Girl Scouts of Rhode Island (RI), Columbia River Council, Inc. (OR), and Girl Scouts of Nassau County, Inc. (NY)