This presentation from the August 2011 Colloquium on P-12 STEM Education Research focuses on two summer camps for middle school students. The study examines how the two programs affect student views and perceptions of scientists and engineers, how a single gender program compares to a co-educational program, and whether there are lessons to be learned for other informal agencies regarding the activities most likely to increase minority students' persistence in science and engineering.
This technical report summarizes the statistical analyses used to determine how well the Measuring Activation (MA) instrument developed through the Science Learning Activation Lab project gathers appropriate information about the five dimensions of activation. The MA instrument was designed to evaluate the impact of science-learning programs and experiences on activation, and contains a series of survey items organized around five identified dimensions of activation. The five dimensions of activation are: fascination, values, perceived autonomy, competency beliefs, and scientific sensemaking.