Impacts of STEM Experiences on Informal STEM Learning

作为在非正式环境中加强学习的总体战略的一部分，推进非正式STEM学习(AISL)计划为各种环境中使用的创新研究、方法和资源提供资金。在过去的20年里，非正式的STEM教育活动在美国广泛传播。更多的研究将进一步证实这种学习模式的长期益处。因此，详细说明非正式学习中的众多变量以及如何将这些变量用于个人学习，还有待于针对学习者的具体情况加以界定。因此，这项工作的主要目标是提供有力和详细的证据，帮助在农村、城市、不同的经济情况以及公民群体的独特特征和文化等广泛的共同情况下形成非正式STEM学习的实践和政策。首席调查员不是追求一种普遍的非正式学习模式，而是将开发一系列全面的模式，以支持各种人口群体在非正式环境中的学习。这项研究将采取纵向混合方法，在五年的时间跨度内收集城市、郊区、城镇和农村社区9-19岁青少年的非正式STEM经历。证据基础将包括以下方面的数据：青年参加非正式STEM的经历、影响参加非正式STEM的因素、参与对选择教育途径和职业的影响以及对特定类型学习活动的偏好。量化数据将包括青年调查、方案细节(例如方案持续时间、每期方案的时长、青年/辅导员比例等)和人口统计数据。定性数据将包括对青年和促进者的现场非正式采访，以及计划文件。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

As part of its overall strategy to enhance learning in informal environments, the Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program funds innovative research, approaches and resources for use in a variety of settings. Informal STEM educational activities have proliferated widely in the US over the last 20 years. Additional research will further validate the long-term benefits of this mode of learning. Thus, elaborating the multitude of variables in informal learning and how those variables can be used for individual learning is yet to be defined for the circumstances of the learners. Thus, the primary objective of this work is to produce robust and detailed evidence to help shape both practice and policy for informal STEM learning in a broad array of common circumstances such as rural, urban, varying economic situations, and unique characteristics and cultures of citizen groups. Rather than pursuing a universal model of informal learning, the principal investigator will develop a series of comprehensive models that will support learning in informal environments for various demographic groups.The research will undertake a longitudinal mixed-methods approach of Out of School Time/informal STEM experiences over a five-year time span of data collection for youth ages 9-19 in urban, suburban, town, and rural communities. The evidence base will include data on youth experiences of informal STEM, factors that exert an influence on participation in informal STEM, the impact of participation on choices about educational pathways and careers, and preferences for particular types of learning activities. The quantitative data will include youth surveys, program details (e.g. duration of program, length of each program session, youth/facilitator ratio, etc.), and demographics. The qualitative data will include on-site informal interviews with youth and facilitators, and program documentation.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.