2011

Project: Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE)

Authors: Pam Castori, Laurie Lopez, Heather Mitchell

Type: Report

Publication: November 2011

CURE High School Program – Center for Biophotonics Science and Technology – Student Impacts Summative Evalution Report (pdf, 25 pages)

Abstract

In Spring 2011, Inverness Research Associates was hired to do a summative evaluation of the project, focusing on the students’ experiences, ratings and reflections about the project, as well as their current educational and career trajectories.

The aim of this evaluation is to provide an external perspective on the extent to which and ways in which the CURE program has influenced or impacted high school participants in the four cohorts. The evaluation is focused solely on the students. The approach was designed to gather quantitative and qualitative data through surveys and interviews, resulting in ratings and measures of impact on participants as well as descriptive portrayals of participant experiences and reflections (through vignettes).

Any or all of this report is intended for use by the project leadership for the purpose of supporting their report and publication writing efforts. With this in mind, the report focuses on key results that emerged for us.

Report Organization: Key findings reported from this study are presented in three main sections. The first section presents key results from the online survey; the second section presents key themes that emerged through the students’ interviews; and in the third section we present three student vignettes exemplifying student experiences and impacts, concluding the report with some summary comments. Student quotes included in this report from open-ended survey responses and from interviews have been slightly edited for grammar.

The final version of this report was posted April 2012.

Intended Audience

The CURE program, Funders, Science-Technology-Engineering-Math (STEM) Education Leaders, Science Museum Educators, Professional Development Leaders, Teachers, School and District Administrators, Funders, and general public.

Disclaimer

Any and all errors are claimed by the authors of this document, Inverness Research, Inc.

Distribution Policy

Inverness Research Inc. grants permission to print and distribute copies.