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  • 1.  Outreach and In-Museum Evaluation Studies

    Posted 06-11-2018 07:01 PM
    Hi Everyone,

         I know this topic has come up over the years, but I think I have a slightly different ask. I am looking to see the evaluation outcomes of museum education programs. In particular, I am interested in outcome reports that look at the benefits of K-12 outreach programs in conjunction with or vs. programs that take place in the museum.

        I've been searching various museum websites, but wonder if there might be a repository somewhere or if folks wouldn't mind sharing their evaluation reports. I am working with my program evaluator on deepening our study to not only look at the successes and challenges of our program, I also want to see how our program compares to similar programs at other museums. We send teaching artists into the classroom to deliver pre-visit lessons and then the classrooms come to the museum for related activities. I want to know how we compare in terms of dosage (time spent with students), the benefits (or lack of benefit) of going both into the classroom and having the students at the museum, and I'd love to learn more of what other museums have learned about improving their education outreach programs. 

       Any resources are greatly appreciated. I am also very willing to share my own resources and studies.

    Respectfully,

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    Demetri Broxton
    Senior Director of Education
    Museum of the African Diaspora
    San Francisco, CA
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  • 2.  RE: Outreach and In-Museum Evaluation Studies

    Posted 06-12-2018 07:31 AM
    I am surprised that your evaluator has not consulted CARE and VSA websites.  Also informalscience.org (not all science related studies). Off the top of my head: programs similar to yours at the Guggenheim in nyc and Isabella Stewart Gardner in Boston.

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    Ellen Giusti
    Independent Consultant
    New York NY
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  • 3.  RE: Outreach and In-Museum Evaluation Studies

    Posted 06-12-2018 06:11 PM
    Ellen,

       Thanks so much! This is a very helpful list!

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    Demetri Broxton
    Senior Director of Education
    Museum of the African Diaspora
    San Francisco CA
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