Current Project
Number: 2007-005-2-050
Title: Research-based evaluation of the Young Ambassadors for
Chemistry* project
* project
2003-055-1-050
Task Group
Chairman: Lida Schoen
Members: Mei-Hung
Chiu, Ponnadurai Ramasami, Erica
Steenberg, and Natalia
Tarasova
Objective:
-
A research-based evaluation of the longer term outcomes about teachers'
attitudes towards YAC and international collaboration (Science Across
the World) of the first and last successful YAC courses/events in Taiwan
(Nov 2005 and Aug 2006) and South Africa (March 2007, with built in
evaluation), out of the initial series of YAC courses in five countries
(final report: www.iupac.org/projects/2003/2003-055-1-050_Schoen_final-report072107.pdf
- 1.35MB).
- A research-based evaluation during new YAC courses/events in Taiwan
(Dec 2007) and in Kenya and Mauritius (July/Aug 2008) (these new YAC
projects will be funded from other sources) about creating YAC students
and YAC teachers and allowing teachers and schools to develop a school-based
curriculum that creates uniqueness of the local learning atmosphere
and make good use of local facilities for students as well as for the
public.
- A research-based evaluation of these new YAC projects will provide
insights and vision of collaboration among school administrators, teachers,
and students as well as industrial sectors.
Description:
The Young Ambassadors for Chemistry project (YAC - www.iupac.org/projects/2003/2003-055-1-050.html)
was carried out from 2004 to 2007 using a 'Train the Trainers'
approach with teachers and students to increase public interest in chemistry
in 4 transition areas: Taiwan, Argentina, Russia and South Africa (March
2007) with a 5th successful stop in Gwangju, Korea. Evaluation of the
project was based on responses obtained from the public (questionnaires
by the YACs) and informal evaluations with participating teachers in
the courses as part of YAC projects.
This project will evaluate the results of teacher training and teacher
organised YAC events in three target transition regions (Taiwan, Kenya
and Mauritius). In Taiwan, dates for YAC Workshops are available in
December 2007 and funding for the Workshops and the evaluation are carried
by the local organisation. Evaluation in Kenya and Mauritius will only
be possible if the local organisations are able to organise and fund
YAC workshops.
The entire evaluation project includes 4 evaluations and informal interviews
with the participants to investigate the effectiveness and implementation
of YAC. There will be 4 areas of evaluation at stages before, during
and after the activities:
- Teacher evaluation about the content knowledge and attitude towards
the YAC concept
- Student evaluation about the content knowledge and attitude towards
the YAC idea
- Public evaluation about the content knowledge and attitude towards
the YAC event
- Local organisers evaluation about successes and problems with the
local organisation (funding, venue, etc.)
Attitude testing and cognitive performance evaluation will be administered.
For reliability teachers and students will be retested one month later.
This primary evaluation will produce data to develop a sustainable model
for future YAC programme implementation.
Timeline
1) Evaluation materials written and translated to be used in 3 countries
by 2 evaluation experts.
2) Longer term outcomes about teachers' and students' attitudes towards
the YAC idea and international collaboration (Science Across the World)
from participants of the former YAC courses/events in Taiwan (November
2005 and August 2006) and South Africa (March 2007) to find out whether
YAC has planted its seed in Taiwan.
3) Evaluations (data collection) will be carried out in the following
countries.
a) Taiwan (December 2007): during a new YAC course/event with new teacher
(trainer)s.
b) Africa:
i) Kenya (July/August 2008): evaluation during a new YAC course/event
during the pre- or post conference ICCE 20
ii) Mauritius (August 2008): evaluation during a new YAC course/event
organised during ICCE 20
4) Analysis of data, guidelines written for future training, organisation
of YAC course/events, to support efforts to obtain possible corporate
funding.
Progress:
See report prepared by Lida Schoen, Mei-Hung Chíu, and Erica Steenberg; www.iupac.org/projects/2007/2007-005-2-050_report081103.pdf - 370KB).
Last update: 3 November 2008
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