Evaluation

The NISE Network Evaluation group is a multi-organizational group dedicated to informing and improving the work of the Network by conducting evaluation studies that closely examine the public, professional, and field-wide impacts of NISE Net activities. Group members have worked closely with nearly all NISE Net groups and teams, including Viz Lab, Forums, Exhibits and Programs, Network Community, the Network Executive Group, amongst others. In each area, evaluators work with the Network teams, conducting studies for those teams that encourage professional inquiry and provide constructive feedback. Examples of the kinds of studies conducted by the NISE Net Evaluation group include the following:

• A literature review that summarized findings from secondary sources that describe public awareness, interest, knowledge and attitudes related to nanotechnology.
  Nanotechnology and the Public report
• A formative evaluation that looked at ways to improve visitor enjoyment, engagement and perceived learning of a discussion forum that was held at five institutions
  Risks, Benefits, and Who Decides? report
• A formative evaluation that explored the effectiveness of an initial set of NISE Net exhibits
  NISE Net Overall Exhibits report
• A formative evaluation that was designed to improve the NISE Net regional workshops and ensure they were beneficial networking and professional development opportunities for NISE Net partners.
  2008 Program Workshop report
• A formative evaluation that gathered information to increase visitor interest, enjoyment, and understanding of the Nano Days kit Buckyball activity.
  Exploring Structures - Buckyballs report
• An interview-based study that investigated how museum visitors interpreted scale ladders that focus on the nanoscale
  Scale Ladders report
• An evaluation that studied the effect of the Nanoscale Education Outreach program on the participants’ professional capacities and future involvement in the NISE Network
  NEO Workshop report
• A summative evaluation study that examined the growth and development of the Network
  Overview of the NISE Network Evaluation report

A complete listing and access to all NISE Net evaluation reports is available through the Research & Evaluation section of the catalog: http://www.nisenet.org/catalog/evaluation

Over the past four years, the evaluation team has included staff members from the following organizations:

• Museum of Science, Boston
• Science Museum of Minnesota
• Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
• Exploratorium
• Inverness Research Associates
• Multimedia Research

In addition, the public impacts summative evaluation is overseen by an external Committee of Visitors comprised of the following members:

• Bruce Lewenstein
• Saul Rockman
• Frances Lawrenz

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