Evaluating GSG

Comprehensive Research & Evaluation Services (CRES) is conducting a mixed method, formative and summative evaluation of the Great Science for Girls initiative. The external evaluation is designed to measure the inputs, outputs and outcomes of the initiative.

GSG activities consist of the following chain of events:

  1. EEC/AED provides professional development (PD) and technical assistance (TA) to staff of intermediaries and after school programs to improve their capacity for implementing gender equitable STEM programs;
  2. Intermediaries then provide training and TA to after school programs; and
  3. After school program staff teaches children and youth about science and gender equity using research-based curriculum approved by GSG.

These steps are described in the graph below.

Each of the links in this chain will be evaluated:

  • Observe and assess quality of PD and TA activities provided by EEC/AED to staff of intermediaries and after school centers
  • Collect information on the number of after school centers and participants served by the initiative, as well as participants’ demographics
  • Study three intermediaries in depth, assess quality of technical assistance they provide to after school centers
  • For each of the three intermediaries to be studied in depth, study three after school centers in depth:
    • Observe and assess quality of direct instruction to participants
    • Collect survey data from staff and participants about increase in knowledge and comfort doing science, and decrease in stereotypes about women in science
    • Collect data about participant demographics and attendance in GSG activities
    • Assess the extent to which sustained attendance in quality programming is associated with positive youth outcomes