Project

Revealing the Systemic Impacts of LabVenture

Examining LabVenture's impact on Maine's communities.

This research project investigates the short-term and long-term impacts of the LabVenture program on Maine’s students, families, and learning communities in terms of their perception of and participation in formal and informal science learning. This research is conducted in partnership between researchers at GMRI, Oregon State University and TERC.

This project seeks to:

  • Identify the community features that generate long-term engagement in an informal STEM learning experience.
  • Understand the value Maine teachers place on informal STEM learning, and how those values influence classroom practices and STEM learning opportunities available for students.
  • Identify whether, and to what degree, informal STEM learning experiences produce positive changes in students’ STEM knowledge, practice, and identity.
  • Articulate the degree to which a shared community experience like LabVenture leaves detectable “signals” within the community that reflect broader community-level change.

This research examines the impact of the LabVenture program on Maine’s communities in order to understand and advance knowledge on the short- and long-term impacts of the program within different contexts. Specifically, this project seeks to identify what community benefits emerge when a large-scale informal science program like LabVenture is systematically implemented across a community over a significant period of time. A parallel research effort seeks to understand how a program like LabVenture can serve as a model for adoption of similar programs seeking innovative strategies to connect formal and informal science learning to achieve notable positive shifts in their local, statewide, or regional STEM learning ecosystems.

Project Team

Project Sponsor

This is the national science foundation logo.

This project is funded by the National Science Foundation, award #1811452.

Project Partners

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  • 2020 LabVenture Annual Impact Report

    2020 LabVenture Annual Impact Report

    Whether face-to-face or online, over the course of the 2019-2020 school year we engaged students in deep and authentic scientific inquiry to uncover new knowledge …

    Reports

  • Making LabVenture Accessible

    Making LabVenture Accessible

    Last year, we launched an all-new LabVenture experience, including updated content and state-of-the-art technology. After a little more than a year and 14,000 students served, …

    Tidings

  • Education Team Introduces Home Delivery

    Education Team Introduces Home Delivery

    This spring, our Education team introduced Home Delivery, a menu of online learning experiences adapted from our existing education programs.

    Announcements

  • New Accessibility Features, Recognition for LabVenture

    New Accessibility Features, Recognition for LabVenture

    Last year, we launched an all-new LabVenture experience, including updated content and state-of-the-art technology. After a little more than a year and 14,000 students served, …

    Announcements