Abstract

This study evaluated a nanoscale science summer camp called Nano Science ~ the invisible science! The program was held at Hands On!-A Child's Gallery, the non-profit educational children's museum in Hendersonville, North Carolina. The program was designed for older elementary to middle-school age students (ages 8-11) and incorporated a variety hands on activities to teach children about the scientific world of unseen phenomena. In addition, the program sought to inspire an interest in science in general. This study measured the camper’s interest in and attitudes toward science; how much they learned specific programmatic content; and whether and how they might apply what they learned to their everyday lives. Data addressing these questions was collected primarily with a pre-camp and post-camp test. The test measured the campers’ knowledge acquisition (e.g., Why does the “memory metal” move under high heat? What is the difference between Ferrofluid and Blacks sand?) and science attitudes. Chi-square tests were used to compare pre-post camp proportions of correct answers to test items. Answers to several test items were significantly more likely to be correct after the children completed the camp. Results of this study will be discussed in terms of practical implications for the Hands On! staff. In addition, results will be discussed in the context of the theory and research on informal science learning.

How to Cite