Assessment Of Student Learning Outcomes And Effects On Perceptions Of Science From Involvement In A Hands-On Stem Outreach Event

This mixed methods study used a combination of preliminary/post assessments and student interviews to evaluate if participation in a hands-on outreach event by 98, 8th grade students from 6 public middle schools in the Southern Appalachian region, impacted their achievement of State Essential Standard derived learning outcomes and perceptions of science. A statistically significant difference was found between the pre-assessment and post-assessment scores and the pre- and post-assessment scores between the schools. Field observations and qualitative data from student interviews indicated that participation in this environmental education outreach event allowed students an opportunity to connect content learned in the classroom with hands-on experiences, to improve achievement of learning outcomes and modest enhancement of positive perceptions of science. This study highlighted important questions for future research regarding the impact of pre-teaching and post-teaching on student achievement of learning outcomes in association with these outreach events. The results of this study can be used to improve the effectiveness of STEM outreach programs in preparing students to connect science curriculum to real life applications, to engage students in science outreach events to increase interest in STEM, and to increase student achievement of State Standard derived learning outcomes.