Define
Agree the objectives, population, duration, access needs, staffing and learning activities.
A focused program.
Explore a structured pilot with a school, university, library, nonprofit or youth-serving organization. Each proposal begins with a defined population, learning purpose and setting.
Time to investigate.
Possible formats. Group size, facilitation and availability are discussed individually.
6 weeks8 weeks12 weeksSemester
Settings may include a school, after-school program, library, nonprofit, community organization, homeschool cooperative or university-affiliated study.
Design the pilot together
Agree the work before inviting learners.
Prepare
Set the schedule, responsibilities, permissions, accessibility arrangements and evaluation plan.
Facilitate
Guide investigations and projects. Use agreed check-ins to support participation and address practical issues.
Review
Examine the agreed evidence, document limitations and decide what a subsequent program should change.
What might a pilot examine?
STEM engagement, knowledge acquisition, persistence, interdisciplinary reasoning, project completion, learner choice, confidence, STEM identity, curiosity, problem-solving, transfer of learning, participation and portfolio development.
Evaluation frameworks are developed according to the objectives, population, setting and research requirements of each collaboration. A pilot proposal is not a claim of established effectiveness.
Explore the evaluation frameworkPropose a pilot.
Tell us about the setting, learners, possible funding and the question you want to explore.