On Defining and Assessing Engagement, Interest, Curiosity, and Motivation in Informal Science Learning

This background paper is intended to support consideration of assessments "in improving program quality and student learning outcomes in the field of informal science education." This includes three questions: (a) What definitions of engagement, interest, curiosity, and motivation might be used in evaluations of informal and after-school science learning programs and activities? (b) Given the diversity of learning experiences, what are the prospects for developing common definitions of engagement, interest, curiosity, and motivation? And, (c) Given the diversity of types of informal and after-school learning experiences, what are the prospects for developing common assessments of engagement, interest, curiosity, and motivation?

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