Long-Term Evaluation. BEAMS
and Dr. Iris Weiss of Horizons Research have developed a
program for long-term evaluation that is being
implemented in collaboration with the school districts.
It incorporates measures of student attitudes,
achievement, academic course choices, and graduation
rates.
Short-Term Evaluation: 5th
and 6th Grade Students.As a short-term evaluation,
the attitudes of 5,100 5th and 6th graders who have had
BEAMS experiences over the past four years have been
surveyed. The surveys were conducted twice--once 1-2
weeks before the BEAMS visit and then 3 weeks after the
BEAMS visit. Conclusions drawn from the results are as
follows:
- BEAMS students have a
better understanding than they did before of the
importance of math and science
- girls' perceptions that
women can be scientists increase after
participating in BEAMS
- BEAMS students have
specific and realistic ideas of what scientists
do
- BEAMS students become more
interested than before in the possibility of
attending college
Student Attitudes: 9th
Graders. The attitudes of 85 9th graders whose last
BEAMS experience was in 5th grade were also surveyed.
Conclusions drawn from the results are as follows:
- former BEAMS students have
maintained a higher interest in science and
science courses than have controls
- former BEAMS students
appear to be more comfortable and less anxious
about science than controls
Teacher Attitudes. Participating
teachers are always surveyed twice, first on the last day
of their BEAMS visit and then at the end of the school
year. One hundred thirteen teachers have responded to
both surveys. Conclusions drawn from the results are as
follows:
- 99% of the teachers
reported that the BEAMS activities were
appropriate for their students
- 93% reported that they were
affected by the BEAMS program in various ways,
such as by being exposed to new activities,
teaching ideas, and resources
- 76% reported concerns about
how their class would perform during the BEAMS
experience; only 20% reported that their concerns
were realized
- 80% reported that they use
BEAMS materials in their classes
Parent Reactions. In the
last year, 1,152 parents of children who have had the
BEAMS experience responded to a survey. The results
showed that
Scientist Reactions. There
have been three attitudinal surveys of technical-staff
volunteers. The results have been very positive and have
included a few suggestions for new activities. In
addition, in the history of the program, only three
volunteers who were in a position to do so have not
signed up again.
Impact as a Model Program. The
BEAMS program does not have to be housed in a U.S.
Department of Energy-sponsored National Laboratory. It
could be replicated, with adaptation, in any big research
laboratory. The first such replication is now under way
at Siemens Automotive, Inc., in Newport News, VA.
Evaluating Long-term Impact.
The education department at the Jefferson Lab plans to
validate the entire BEAMS program as a model of a program
that uses the resources of a large laboratory optimally
to support public education in general and the
realization of national education goals in particular.
