Duodu Eugenia, Noble Jessica, Yusuf Yusuf, Garay Camilo, Bean Corliss
2Visions of Science Network for Learning, Toronto, ON Canada.
Youth Research and Evaluation eXchange, Toronto, ON Canada.
Int J STEM Educ. 2017;4(1):20. doi: 10.1186/s40594-017-0083-2. Epub 2017 Oct 2.
Due to the rising demands for a Canadian workforce with science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)-related education, there is a need to increase youth engagement in STEM education and programming. Research, however, has shown that youth residing in low-income communities are disproportionately affected by psychosocial barriers, which often inhibit meaningful engagement in STEM programming. Visions of Science Network for Learning (VoSNL) was designed and implemented to address these existing barriers. VoSNL is a charitable organization in Southern Ontario, Canada, that provides weekly community-based STEM programming to low-income and marginalized youth during out-of-school time. VoSNL programming is delivered directly within the community and is free-of-charge for all youth in order to minimize barriers of physical and financial accessibility. The purpose of this report was to provide a detailed description of a core program within VoSNL-Community Science Clubs-and summarize the findings of a process evaluation, specifically the successes and challenges of implementing a community-based, out-of-school STEM program.
Program successes are outlined along with the challenges that have been identified through program implementation. Successes include (a) delivering the program within a community context, (b) opportunities for consistent engagement, and (c) establishing positive youth-staff relationships. Challenges include (a) navigating community-based issues, (b) conducting outreach and promotion, and (c) accommodating a wide age range of youth. Further, lessons learned from an evaluation of program implementation are also discussed.
This report provides one of the first program descriptions and process evaluations of a community-based, youth-focused STEM program within a Canadian context. The findings in this report have helped to improve the delivery and evaluation of the VoSNL program and may act as a catalyst for program expansion to reach more youth in marginalized communities. Further, the findings can also provide a strong framework for programmers interested in implementing STEM youth programming in a community context, assist in the replication of similar models in other locations, and enhance STEM learning amongst youth.
由于对具备科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）相关教育背景的加拿大劳动力需求不断增加，有必要提高青少年对STEM教育及相关项目的参与度。然而，研究表明，居住在低收入社区的青少年受到心理社会障碍的影响尤为严重，这些障碍常常阻碍他们有意义地参与STEM项目。科学学习愿景网络（VoSNL）旨在设计并实施相关举措来消除这些现存障碍。VoSNL是加拿大安大略省南部的一个慈善组织，在课余时间为低收入和边缘化青少年提供每周一次的社区STEM项目。VoSNL项目直接在社区内开展，对所有青少年免费，以尽量减少身体和经济可达性方面的障碍。本报告的目的是详细描述VoSNL的一个核心项目——社区科学俱乐部，并总结过程评估的结果，特别是实施基于社区的校外STEM项目的成功经验和挑战。
报告概述了项目的成功之处以及在项目实施过程中发现的挑战。成功之处包括：（a）在社区环境中开展项目；（b）提供持续参与的机会；（c）建立积极的青年与工作人员关系。挑战包括：（a）应对基于社区的问题；（b）进行外展和推广；（c）接纳年龄跨度较大的青少年。此外，还讨论了从项目实施评估中吸取的经验教训。
本报告首次对加拿大背景下基于社区、以青少年为重点的STEM项目进行了项目描述和过程评估。本报告中的研究结果有助于改进VoSNL项目的实施和评估，并可能成为项目扩展的催化剂，以惠及更多边缘化社区的青少年。此外，这些研究结果还可为有兴趣在社区环境中实施STEM青少年项目的项目人员提供一个强大的框架，有助于在其他地方复制类似模式，并增强青少年的STEM学习。
