A Month in the Life of an Informal STEM Learning Program Evaluator
A scientist wearing gloves examines a seaweed specimen in a Petri dish.
On our Insights page we talk a lot about evaluation practice within the context of informal learning from a broad, field-wide perspective. This year has presented some unique challenges for ISE. The field is grappling with government disinvestment in agencies that have historically supported our programs and institutions. However, the work continues.
Today, I thought I’d switch gears from addressing field-wide issues and instead paint a picture of what the day-to-day of an informal STEM education (ISE) program evaluator looks like.
Folks interested in joining the field of ISE program evaluation often ask me what my day to day schedule looks like and, well, it varies hugely! That’s one of the things I love most about this work is that no two days are ever the same. Some of the things I got up to last month were:
Took a trip to Ocean Springs, Mississippi with Research and Evaluation Assistant Emily Neill for a site visit for one of our projects. Here, we met with educators and students, learned about projects they’re working on, and collected observational data and informal conversation notes
Conducted interviews for a project pertaining to environmental education and action, with youth and educators
Collaborated with colleagues to design a QED study of environmental programs
Completed and submitted an article for potential publication with a peer-reviewed journal relevant to our industry
Submitted and approved corrections on my newest Evaluation Insights column for the National Science Teaching Association’s Connected Science Learning
Drafted two feature articles for our newsletter; Evaluating Fab Labs and Makerspaces and Emphasizing Evaluative Criteria for More Focused, Inclusive Evaluations
Designed protocols for a client project, relying on participatory methods and lots of feedback from the team
Worked on a proposal for a repeat client
Organized site visit data, including photos, videos, and field notes
Completed management and administrative tasks like paying my team, drafting consulting agreements, and hosting check-in calls
Reviewed industry newsletters for interesting opportunities and articles to highlight in Insights & Opportunities
Considered an RFP for a potential project, ultimately deciding not to pursue
Worked on a client deliverable - a mid-program report on early learnings
Hosted periodic meetings with clients, touching base on the status of various elements of the project and seeking feedback
Built a questionnaire to complement an interview protocol
Recruited for interviews, using a defined sampling strategy
That’s just a snapshot of some of the things I work on in an average month. My work is largely cyclical, driven by the phases of a project, the ends of projects and the beginnings of new ones. Some activities remain constant, but I’m energized by the changing nature of the work. It allows me to be constantly learning, in collaboration with others, and curious about the world.
If you enjoyed this post, follow along with Improved Insights by signing up for our monthly newsletter. Subscribers get first access to our blog posts, as well as Improved Insights updates and our 60-Second Suggestions. Join us!