To cultivate K-12 students' interest in, and capacities for, careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), the National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) program has funded nearly 150 formal and informal learning projects since 2003. ITEST projects provide meaningful, combined learning opportunities for youth and their teachers, with a focus on increasing understanding about possible STEM careers.
To guide future funding investments, SRI and its partner are evaluating:
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The projects’ impacts
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What project models are most effective, and what project characteristics contribute to their success
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How the ITEST projects are best characterized and described
The evaluation entails:
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Analysis of the ITEST portfolio: Evaluators review available documents on all ITEST projects to document project inputs, outcomes, and the rigor of evaluations.
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Case studies: To understand how ITEST projects function, their characteristics that contribute to success, and their impact on participants, the evaluation will include in-depth case studies of 24 projects.
