ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Dear ISEN-ASTC listserv member,

We would like to invite you to participate in a research study exploring
the needs that must be addressed to effectively evaluate STEM (science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics) education. You were selected as
a possible participant because of your involvement in informal STEM
education and your affiliation with the ISEN-ASTC listserv. The purpose of
this study is to better understand the evaluation needs of STEM educators.

A mixed-methods, participatory approach called concept mapping will be the
primary methodological tool used in this study. The project involves the
following steps:

• Contribute your ideas about evaluation needs through web-based
brainstorming (between June 26th - July 10th)

• Conduct a sort of the brainstormed statements (between July 17th –
August 10th)

• Rate the statements for relative importance and feasibility (between
July 17th – August 10th)

You may decide the level at which you would like to participate based upon
your interest and time availability. Option A should take no more than 5
minutes and includes brainstorming. Option B should take no more than 30
minutes and includes brainstorming and rating. Option C should take no
more than an hour and 15 minutes and includes brainstorming, sorting, and
rating.

If you have any questions, you may contact Jennifer Brown at (607)
255-2864 or email [log in to unmask]

If you are interested in participating, please fill in the information
below and email it back to [log in to unmask] by Monday, June
26th.

Sincerely,

William M. Trochim
Professor, Policy Analysis and Management
Director of Evaluation for Extension and Outreach
P.I. NSF Systems Evaluation Project
294 MVR Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
607-255-0887
607-255-4071 fax
[log in to unmask]

Please complete the following and return via email
----------------------------------------------------------------------------Name
_________________________________    Email __________________________

Organization ______________________________________________

Interest Level:
__ Option A (5 minutes: brainstorm)
__ Option B (30 minutes: brainstorm and rate)
__ Option C (1 hour 15 minutes: brainstorm, sort, and rate)

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More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at http://www.astc.org.
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