Outcome Survey for NIST Summer Institute for Middle School Science Teachers

_{NIST Summer Institute: Post-survey for Participants} [insert school year]

Please take the time to complete this survey on your experience as a teacher during the current school year. Your feedback is truly valuable to the administrators of the NIST Summer Institute program and the data will be kept strictly confidential. Data will be used solely for the overall evaluation of the program and program improvement purposes.

Teachers who complete the survey will receive a $25 gift card from Amazon.com in appreciation for their time. The survey should take 45 minutes to complete.

If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Bryce at Westat. She can be reached by phone at (240) 314­2588 or by email at [email protected].

OMB Control No. #0693­0033

Expiration Date: 10/31/2012

NOTE: This collection of information contains Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) requirements approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Notwithstanding any other provisions of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the PRA unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number. Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated to be 45 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Attn: Susan Heller-Zeisler, [email protected], 301-975-3111.

_{NIST Summer Institute: Post-survey for Participants}

As part of the evaluation of the NIST Summer Institute, Westat, the program’s external evaluator, is conducting this survey to document the teaching practices and beliefs of program applicants.

Participation in this activity is voluntary, but the information gained from the survey will be of great value to NIST as it refines its program to best meet the needs of middle school science teachers. Information collected through the survey will be strictly confidential and used solely for research purposes. Only aggregate findings will be included in the final report. No findings will be connected to individual teachers. The information collected will not be shared with other school personnel or used as part of a performance evaluation.

1. If you agree to participate in the survey, please check the following box and complete the survey.

_fec

_{I have read the information on this screen and understand what my participation involves. I consent to participating in the survey as part}

of the NIST evaluation.

NIST Summer Institute: Post-survey for Participants

2.Please enter your ID number in the space below (your ID number can be found in the email with the link to this survey).

ID Number:

_{NIST Summer Institute: Post-survey for Participants}

^{3. In what grade did you spend the majority of your time teaching science during the current} _{school year? (Select one.)}

_mlj

_{6th grade}

_mlj

_{7th grade}

_mlj

_{8th grade}

^{4. If you taught science to more than one grade during the current school year, select all}

_{additional grades that apply.}

_fec

_{6th grade}

_fec

_{7th grade}

_fec

_{8th grade}

fec

I did not teach science to any additional grades

_{NIST Summer Institute: Post-survey for Participants}

^{5. What were the three most valuable things you took away from the NIST Summer}

_{Institute program?}

₅

₆

^{6. Are there any particular aspects of the NIST experience that you feel should have been}

_{handled differently or could be improved?}

₅

6

_{NIST Summer Institute: Post-survey for Participants}

^{7. Which subject areas did you cover in your science classes during the current school}

year. (Mark one response on each line.)

	Subject covered	Subject not covered
a. Biology
b. Earth Science
c. Space Science
d. Physics
e. Chemistry
f. Weather
g. Metrology*

*Metrology: is the science of measurement, embracing both experimental and theoretical determinations at any level of uncertainty in any field of science and technology. Scientific or fundamental metrology concerns the establishment of quantity systems, unit systems, units of measurement, the development of new measurement methods, realization of measurement standards and the transfer of traceability from these standards to users in society. Applied or industrial metrology concerns the application of measurement science to manufacturing and other processes and their use in society, ensuring the suitability of measurement instruments, their calibration and quality control of measurements. Legal metrology concerns regulatory requirements of measurements and measuring instruments for the protection of health, public safety, the environment, enabling

taxation, protection of consumers and fair trade.

_{NIST Summer Institute: Post-survey for Participants}

^{8. How prepared are you to link scientific concepts to real­world applications for each of}

the subject areas listed below? (Mark one response on each line.)

	Not prepared	Somewhat prepared	Moderately prepared	Very well prepared
a. Biology
b. Earth Science
c. Space Science
d. Physics
e. Chemistry
f. Weather
g. Metrology*

*Metrology: is the science of measurement, embracing both experimental and theoretical determinations at any level of uncertainty in any field of science and technology. Scientific or fundamental metrology concerns the establishment of quantity systems, unit systems, units of measurement, the development of new measurement methods, realization of measurement standards and the transfer of traceability from these standards to users in society. Applied or industrial metrology concerns the application of measurement science to manufacturing and other processes and their use in society, ensuring the suitability of measurement instruments, their calibration and quality control of measurements. Legal metrology concerns regulatory requirements of measurements and measuring instruments for the protection of health, public safety, the environment, enabling

taxation, protection of consumers and fair trade.

_{NIST Summer Institute: Post-survey for Participants}

^{9. What is your level of preparedness to use the following teaching practices in your}

_{classroom? (Mark one response on each line.)}

Not prepared

Somewhat

_prepared

Moderately

_prepared

Very well

_prepared

^{a. Using real­world examples to introduce science concepts}

^{b. Using real­world examples to motivate student interest in science}

^{c. Connecting new science concepts to previous science concepts}

^{d. Creating analogies for scientific concepts}

^{e. Addressing students’ misconceptions}

_{f. Having students collect data}

g. Providing direct instruction to help students understand a scientific concept

h. Asking students to compare the results of an experiment to their original predictions

ml

^{i. Asking students to explain their conclusions and/or reasoning}

^{j. Increasing student interest in science careers}

^{k. Increasing student interest in the role of science in everyday life}

_{NIST Summer Institute: Post-survey for Participants}

^{10. Approximately how often did you have students engage in the following learning}

activities during the current school year? (Mark one response on each line.)

	Weekly	Monthly	Annually	Never
a. Conduct investigations (e.g., doing lab activities or using manipulatives)
b. Consider a real­world problem relevant to the course and develop a plan to address it
c. Use technical passages (from news or science journals) to investigate current issues or new developments in science or technology
d. Listen to guest speakers
e. Go on field trips relevant to the curriculum
f. Investigate possible career opportunities in mathematics, science, or technology
g. Design and implement their own scientific investigation
h. Use “state­of­the­art” equipment or technologies

_{NIST Summer Institute: Post-survey for Participants}

^{11. Consider only science teachers within your school: How often did you do the}

_{following with them during the current school year? (Mark one response on each line.)}

1­2 times a week

1­2 times a

_month

1­2 times a year Never

_{a. Discuss general ideas for how to teach specific science concepts}

b. Share a specific science lesson that was very effective for teaching a concept

_{c. Share strategies for making science accessible to all students}

d. Have my classroom observed by other science teachers to demonstrate how to teach a specific science lesson, activity, or concept

e. Demonstrate a specific science lesson, activity, or concept for students in another teacher’s classroom

^{12. Consider only science teachers outside your school that attended the Institute: How}

often did you do the following with them during the current school year? (Mark one response on each line.)

1­2 times a week

1­2 times a

_month

1­2 times a year Never

_{a. Discuss general ideas for how to teach specific science concepts}

b. Share a specific science lesson that was very effective for teaching a concept

_{c. Share strategies for making science accessible for all students}

^{13. Consider only science teachers outside your school that did not attend the Institute:}

How often did you do the following with them during the current school year? (Mark one response on each line.)

1­2 times a week

1­2 times a month

1­2 times a year Never

_{a. Discuss general ideas for how to teach specific science concepts}

b. Share a specific science lesson that was very effective for teaching a concept

^{c. Share strategies for making science accessible for all students}

_{NIST Summer Institute: Post-survey for Participants}

^{14. When you had a science content question related to your teaching responsibilities}

during the current school year, how often did you use the following information sources to obtain answers? (Mark one response on each line.)

1­2 times a week

1­2 times a

_month

1­2 times a year Never

^{a. A teaching colleague within my middle school}

^{b. A teaching colleague at another middle school}

_{c. A science supervisor from within my school district}

d. Someone from a professional science teaching organization (e.g., NSTA)

^{e. A professional scientist of my acquaintance (e.g., a former professor)}

^{f. My school district’s science website}

^{g. My state’s science website}

^{h. A targeted Google search}

^{i. A federal agency website (e.g., NSF, NASA, NOAA, NIST)}

^{j. Specific science websites (e.g., Why Files, Exploratorium)}

^{k. Other}

^{15. If you selected "Other" in Question 14, please specify the "Other" information source(s)}

_{in the space below:}

₅

6

_{NIST Summer Institute: Post-survey for Participants}

^{16. Indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each of the following}

statements for the current school year. (Mark one response on each line.)

	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree
a. The quality of my teaching influences my students’ interest in science
b. The quality of my teaching influences my students’ achievement in science
c. I continually find better ways to teach science
d. I know how to motivate my students to learn science
e. I influence the quality of science instruction for students outside of my own classroom
f. I am currently in a position to influence the number of my students that know about science­related careers
g. I am currently in a position to influence the number of my students that find STEM subjects interesting
h. I am currently in a position to influence the number of my students that view science as being relevant to their lives

_{NIST Summer Institute: Post-survey for Participants}

^{17. To what extent did you make use of the following components of the NIST Summer}

Institute program with your students during the current school year? (Mark one response on each line.)

I do not remember this

I did not use this

I used this component in I used this component in

	component	component	one unit	two or more units
a. Measurement uncertainty: How big is Pi?
b. Metrics Estimation Game
c. Weights and Measures activities
d. Measurement of the speed of sound
e. Cement activity
f. Thermometry activities: Ice melting point, Steam point, CO2 sublimation point
g. Gel electrophoresis
h. Diffraction activity (from NCNR)
i. Spectroscopy activity
j. LabQuest and probes
k. pH of water
l. Teaching toys (e.g. science of magic)
m. Earthquake activities
n. Mycommuncher DNA puzzle
o. Density Column
p. Measurement of Temperature with wooden and aluminum blocks

_{NIST Summer Institute: Post-survey for Participants}

^{18. To what extent were each of the following components of the NIST Summer Institute}

program aligned with the your middle school curriculum taught by you or by your colleagues in other grades? (Mark one response on each line.)

I do not remember

_{this component}

Not at all aligned Slightly aligned Moderately aligned Greatly aligned

^{a. Measurement uncertainty: How big is Pi?}

^{b. Metrics Estimation Game}

^{c. Weights and Measures activities}

^{d. Measurement of the speed of sound}

_{e. Cement activity}

f. Thermometry activities: Ice melting point, Steam point, CO₂ sublimation point

^{g. Gel electrophoresis}

^{h. Diffraction activity (from NCNR)}

^{i. Spectroscopy activity}

^{j. LabQuest and probes}

^{k. pH of water}

^{l. Teaching toys (e.g. science of magic)}

^{m. Earthquake activities}

^{n. Mycomuncher DNA puzzle}

^{o. Density Column}

^{p. Measurement of Temperature with wooden and aluminum blocks}

_{NIST Summer Institute: Post-survey for Participants}

^{19. To what extent did you make use of the following LabQuest probes with your students}

_{during the current school year? (Mark one response on each line.)}

_{I do not remember this}

_{I did not use this}

_{I used this component in I used this component in}

	component	component	one unit	two or more units
a. Motion detector
b. pH sensor
c. Voltage probe
d. Temperature probes
e. Light sensor
f. Dual­range force sensor
g. Gas pressure sensor
h. Hand­grip heart rate monitor
i. Conductivity probe
j. Magnetic field sensor

^{20. Indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statements about}

the impact of the LabQuest on the way you do activities and hands­on investigations with your students.

I did not use the

_LabQuest

Disagree Not sure Agree Strongly Agree

^{a. I was able to do more demonstrations for students}

_{b. Students were able to do more lab activities}

c. Students were better able to understand abstract concepts

d. Students were able to gather and track data more easily than with traditional lab tools/materials

e. Students were able to gather and track data more accurately than with traditional lab tools/materials

_{NIST Summer Institute: Post-survey for Participants}

^{21. To what extent do you feel that you experienced each of the following types of learning}

as a result of your participation in the NIST Summer Institute program? (Mark one response on each line.)

	Not at all	Slight extent	Moderate extent	Great extent
a. I gained a greater understanding of the applications of science and technology in everyday life
b. I acquired greater understanding of fundamental concepts in science
c. I became familiar with new materials and equipment that I can use in my teaching
d. I learned about innovative ways to use standard materials and equipment in my teaching
e. I increased my knowledge of current issues in scientific research
f. I gained a greater appreciation of the difficulties some students encounter when learning science
g. I better understand how collaborative inquiry can be done successfully
h. I increased my knowledge of careers that utilize science

22. To what extent was your NIST experience successful in each of the following ways?

(Mark one response on each line.)

	Not at all	Slight extent	Moderate extent	Great extent
a. It was responsive to my professional development needs
b. It was appropriate to my knowledge and skills
c. It was appropriate to my interests
d. It provided opportunities to engage in inquiry/research activities that I have been able to adapt for classroom use
e. The activities were enjoyable
f. It stretched me intellectually

_{NIST Summer Institute: Post-survey for Participants}

^{23. To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements}

concerning the impact of the NIST Summer Institute program on you professionally?

_{(Mark one response on each line.)}

Strongly

_disagree

Disagree Not sure Agree

Strongly

_agree

^{a. It increased my confidence as a teacher}

_{b. It elevated my enthusiasm for science}

c. It increased my interest in research and the ways science and technology can be applied

^{d. It stimulated me to think about ways I can improve my teaching}

^{e. It increased my effectiveness as a teacher}

^{f. It increased my interest and ability to network with teachers}

^{g. It increased my interest and ability to network with scientists}

h. It increased my motivation to seek out other experiential professional development activities

i. It increased my commitment to learning and seeking new ideas and activities for my classroom

^{j. It increased my capacity to provide engaging activities for my students}

_{NIST Summer Institute: Post-survey for Participants}

^{24. Indicate whether you shared each of the following components of the NIST Summer}

Institute program with other teachers at your middle school. (Mark one response on each line.)

I did not share this component

I shared this component with teachers from MY grade

I shared this component with teachers from ANOTHER grade

I shared this component with teachers from BOTH my grade and

_{another grade}

^{a. Measurement uncertainty: How big is Pi?}

^{b. Metrics Estimation Game}

^{c. Weights and Measures activities}

^{d. Measurement of the speed of sound}

_{e. Cement activity}

f. Thermometry activities: Ice melting point, Steam point, CO2 sublimation point

^{g. Gel electrophoresis}

^{h. Diffraction activity (from NCNR)}

^{i. Spectroscopy activity}

^{j. LabQuest and probes}

^{k. pH of water}

^{l. Teaching toys (e.g. science of magic)}

^{m. Earthquake activities}

^{n. Mycomuncher DNA puzzle}

^{o. Density Column}

^{p. Measurement of Temperature with wooden and aluminum blocks}

_{NIST Summer Institute: Post-survey for Participants}

^{25. How useful were each of the Science Afternoons at NIST that you participated in}

during the current school year? (These were the follow­up professional development sessions offered at the NIST campus throughout the school year.) (Mark one response on each line.)

	I did not attend	Not useful	Somewhat useful	Moderately Useful	Very Useful
a. [Insert Science Afternoon topic 1 here]
b. [Insert Science Afternoon topic 2 here]
c. [Insert Science Afternoon topic 3 here]
d. [Insert Science Afternoon topic 4 here]

_{NIST Summer Institute: Post-survey for Participants}

^{26. Select all forms of interaction that you had with each of the following individuals during}

_{the current school year. (Mark all that apply on each line.)}

	Discuss science	Discuss how to teach	Ask for assistance with NIST resources	Other form of interaction
	content	a science subject	provided as part of the Institute
a. Mary Satterfield
b. NIST presenter
c. NIST mentor (a scientist you shadowed at the Institute)
d. Other teachers you met at the Institute

Other (please specify your "other" form of interaction)

₅

6

_{NIST Summer Institute: Post-survey for Participants}

^{27. How would you rate the NIST Summer Institute program in light of other professional}

_{development programs you have experienced?}

_mlj

_Poor

_mlj

_Fair

_mlj

_Good

_mlj

_{Very good}

_mlj

_Excellent

^{28. Have you recommended the NIST Summer Institute program to your teacher}

_colleagues?

_mlj

_Yes

_{mlj No}

^{29. Would you be willing to assist the Summer Institute program evaluation by answering}

_{followup questions to this survey over the phone?}

_mlj

_Yes

mlj ^No

NIST Summer Institute: Post-survey for Participants

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