Looking Back to Think Ahead: Reflections on Science Festival Evaluation and Research

Abstract

This methodological review considers science festival evaluation and research studies that have been published in the peer-reviewed literature since 2011, when modern-day science festivals were defined formally. Since that time, the number of science festivals around the world has increased dramatically. The methods and results used to study science festivals are summarized in order to reflect on existing work within this growing sector. The existing literature base is then positioned in relation to recent recommendations for visitor studies research on informal science learning overall, to provide suggestions for expanding current practices to include new methods that have the potential to support continued learning and fill key gaps in the literature.

Notes

1 It is important to acknowledge that, while a significant portion of this recent work was contributed by one or more of the current authors, a similar portion has been contributed by others.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Karen Peterman

Karen Peterman is the president of Karen Peterman Consulting, Co., a firm that specializes in the evaluation of and research on STEM education projects. Her research focuses on developing and studying methods and measures that are appropriate for use in informal learning environments, including science festivals.

Monae Verbeke

Monae Verbeke is a senior research associate at the Institute for Learning Innovation, a nonprofit that works with organizations and communities worldwide to create innovative and evidence-based strategies that transform where, when, and how people learn. Her research interests are at the intersection between the fields of cultural psychology, public engagement with science, environmental sociology, and informal science learning.

Katherine Nielsen

Katherine Nielsen is co-director of the Science & Health Education Partnership (SEP) at UC San Francisco. At SEP, she oversees programs that foster interest in science, build scientific literacy, and advance diversity and inclusivity in science by connecting the scientific community and the public. She co-founded the Bay Area Science Festival in 2011.