Evaluating STEM Programs in Public Institutions in Communities: Focusing on Equity

In this presentation, I will begin by providing a framework for evaluating a diversity of outcomes of STEM programs in public institutions and for documenting equity in student opportunities to learn. I will illustrate how we are applying this framework to the study of STEM learning in different out of school settings that are focused on promoting interest-related learning. In the concluding part of my presentation, I will describe how evaluation can support continuous improvement of STEM programs in libraries, helping institutions to provide more equitable opportunities for STEM learning that lead to valued outcomes for participants and communities.

Authors: William R Penuel