(Shedd Aquarium )
The work of informal science educators has been applauded for years but recent conversations have prompted the question to be asked: How do we know if people actually learn anything? The pressure to demonstrate impact through valid and reliable assessments has only increased yet many informal science educators find themselves lacking time, resources, or expertise to adequately do so. Dr. Joy Kubarek will provide an overview of the state of evaluation in informal science education and the challenges we currently face. Hear about initiatives to establish valid and reliable measures of learning in informal science settings and gain ideas for how evaluation of learning may enhance your work as an informal science educator.
Dr. Joy Kubarek has worked in science education for over 14 years. She's the VP of Learning at the Shedd Aquarium and established the learning evaluation department at the aquarium. Joy holds a Ph.D. in science education from IIT. Her research has included analysis of student conversations around problem solving in informal science settings, development of teacher science identity, perceptions of informal science education, and the effectiveness of zoo and aquarium provided teacher PD. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Museum Education Roundtable, strand coordinator for the informal science division of NARST, and the NSTA informal science committee. Dr. Kubarek recently presented at the ESERA conference in Finland and at the AZA conference in Utah.