Mapping Out-of-School-Time (MOST) Science

published Mar 12, 2012 11:20am
Get mapped with MOST-Science!

MOST-Science is a nationwide study funded by the National Science Foundation and the Noyce Foundation. We are collecting data on the organization and practices of science, engineering and technology-focused out-of-school-time (OST) programs across the country, and we are eager to gather and analyze a large, comprehensive body of data on current work in this fast-growing and diverse field. We would very much appreciate your assistance in contributing to our study and/or spreading the word about it.

We recently released an online questionnaire for leaders of youth OST science programs that can be found at:

http://www.colorado.edu/eer/research/outofschool.html

We are particularly interested in OST programs for middle and high school-aged youth that focus on science, engineering and/or technology. The questionnaire asks program providers for details about who participates in their programs, for how long and how often, and with what kinds of content, hands-on activities, career information, mentors and role models participants have the opportunity to interact. More details are available at our web page and the links there.

I hope you will assist us in one or both of the following ways:

  1. share this announcement with other colleagues who run youth science programs outside of school time. I'm also happy to supply a tailored message for an electronic list, blog guest post, web site, or newsletter to which you may contribute.
  2. complete the questionnaire about any out-of-school youth science program(s) that you may run.

One out of every 15 people who fills out the questionnaire will win a $50 gift certificate to their choice of either Staples (get needed supplies for your own program!) or [DonorsChoose.org] (donate supplies to a classroom in need!).

Most importantly, however, by filling out the questionnaire, participants will:

  • Alert our research team to your organization and its youth programs
  • Help to identify common needs and challenges for youth OST science programs
  • Contribute to a study that will inform funders, policy-makers, researchers and other program providers about the good work in this community and the needs that remain to be addressed
  • Support development of future research studies to examine the development, education and career outcomes for youth who participate in OST science programs.

If you have any questions or would like more information about MOST-Science, please check out our website at:

http://www.colorado.edu/eer/research/outofschool.html

or find us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/MOSTscience