Research Based Strategies Resources

Research-based strategies refer to strategies, practices, curricula and resources that have research and/or evaluation data to support their effectiveness. NGCP aims to make research-based strategies accessible, disseminating research-based strategies in informal learning and evaluation and assessment through three methods: NGCP Web site, NGCP webcasts and NGCP Regional Collaborative events.

The research-based strategies NGCP disseminates will help build the capacity of girl-serving organizations, education and business to provide high-quality informal learning environments for girls in STEM and to effectively evaluate and assess their efforts.

Mini-grant projects must incorporate appropriate research-based strategies in informal learning or evaluation and assessment. Applicants should describe the research-based strategies their project will include and how those strategies relate to project goals.

For example, an afterschool program serving girls proposes to collaborate with a Women’s Engineer Association at a local engineering company. The project participants will develop their own engineering projects with the help of the professional engineers. The mini-grant proposal would mention the use of hands-on activities and female role models in the project, two research-based practices in informal learning. For more info on these practices, see November 2007 webcast: Effective Strategies for Working with Girls in STEM.

For guidance incorporating research-based strategies in informal learning or evaluation and assessment into your mini-grant proposal, please review the following resources:

• Webcasts
  NGCP presents monthly topical webcasts, many of which include research-based strategies. All webcasts are archived and available for viewing anytime. The following webcasts will be especially helpful:
  • September 2007: Good Assessment = Success: Developing Assessment Based Outreach Activities
  • April 2008: Using the Data: How to Plan, Develop and Use Program Evaluation to Build a Better Program
  • November 2007 and September 2008: Effective Strategies for Working with Girls in STEM
• Informal Learning Resources
  NGCP has identified five criteria to use when selecting high-quality informal learning program models. See the criteria and a list of program models that meet the criteria.
• AWE Assessment Tools
  AWE, the NSF-funded Assessing Women and Men in Engineering Project, offers assessment surveys, literature resources and capacity building tools for projects focused on girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.. The following resources can all be found on the AWE Web site.
  • AWE surveys—redesigned with NGCP outreach activities in mind—are tested, realizable and easily personalized to your activities.
  • AWE Survey Implementer Guide
  • AWE Observation tool
  • Literature Overviews— Browse these to find out more about the girls you serve
  • Spreadsheets for survey data entry
  • Tips on assessment