Collaborative Research on Out-of-School-Time Science Programs for Youth: Qualitative Research and Longitudinal Survey Design

该项目将进行一项摸底研究，以描述全国以科学为重点的课外时间 (OST) 项目样本的背景、特征和实践，并确定可供进一步研究的示范项目。 实地研究将通过采访参与者、校友和其他利益相关者以及观察项目活动来寻求有关这些项目的更详细的知识。这些研究的结果将在项目结束时的工作会议上公布，讨论如何开发一种调查工具来衡量 OST 计划的重要青年成果，并为预期的纵向研究收集基线数据。该项目将为校外科学学习的运作和实践提供新的描述材料。它将产生一份文献综述、一份提供校外科学培训的组织名单以及未来数据收集的计划。将进行定性研究，以回答诸如 OST 科学经验在多大程度上激发兴趣，或者更确切地说培养或维持兴趣，以及这些结果如何适应更广泛的终身学习和发展背景等问题。该研究旨在创建一种新的青年 OST 科学项目类型，充分描述区分此类项目的关键特征。

The project will conduct a mapping study to describe the contexts, characteristics and practices of a national sample of science-focused Out-of-School Time (OST) programs and identify exemplar programs for further study. A Field Study will seek more detailed knowledge about these programs by interviewing participants, alumni, and other stakeholders, and observing program activities. The results of these studies will be presented at a working conference at the end of the project to discuss how to develop a survey instrument to measure important youth outcomes from OST programs and collect baseline data for an anticipated longitudinal study. This project will provide new descriptive materials about the operation and practice of the out of school learning of science. It will produce a literature review, a list of organizations that provide out of school science training and a plan for future data collection. A qualitative study will be conducted to answer questions such as to what extent OST science experiences spark interest or rather nurture or sustain it and how these outcomes fit within the broader context of lifelong learning and development. The study is intended to create a new typology of youth OST science programs that sufficiently describe crucial features that differentiate such programs.