Shaw-IAU Workshops by the OAE

Evaluation plays an important role in developing and revising astronomy education programs and activities as well as understanding the short and long-term impacts on students, teachers, and members of the public. This presentation will give an overview of different types of evaluation including internal and external evaluation as well as needs assessment, formative, and summative evaluation. We will cover the difference between different types of assessments used in evaluation and how these types of data can be used to gain valuable information about your astronomy education activities. We will provide resources for assessment and discuss the difference between astronomy education research and evaluation. Lastly, we will provide resources for getting started doing evaluation.

About Sanlyn Buxner

Sanlyn Buxner is an associate research professor in the department of Teaching, Learning and Sociocultural Studies at the University of Arizona and a senior scientist and education and communication specialist at the Planetary Science Institute. She has over 15 years of experience conducting evaluation of astronomy education programs in formal and informal settings.

Watch a recording of this talk (external link)