Developing & Enhancing STEM Communicator Models > Project Outputs > STEM Communication Models - An Evaluation

Project Outputs > STEM Communication Models - An Evaluation

The project team evaluated the experiences of students in STEM communication activities, assessing their perceptions prior to taking part in a STEM communications event versus their reflection on the experience following the event. The team were interested in how perceptions and experiences might vary across the three STEM communicator models - i.e. if students were volunteers, paid or undertaking STEM activities as an accredited part of their degree. To gather data, two electronic surveys were sent out to students both before and after activities and interviews were conducted with students.

A powerpoint summary and a copy of the Research Results can be accessed at the bottom of the page.

Research Tools

The questionnaires and interview schedule used during the course of the project can be downloaded below:

Before questionnaire

After questionnaire

Interview protocol

Headline Findings

Students undertook various STEM communicator courses for a variety of different reasons - some altruistic, some for degree credit and some for future career / CV enhancement. These motivations were broadly in line with the model under which the students were involved although there were more similarities than originally anticipated in the motivations of the different cohorts
The choices of activities were influenced by previous experiences, with external choices made by the more experienced
Female students were more likely to do the course for degree credit
There was an observable increase in the reported number of positive emotions experienced as a result of the students' involvement in the activities. The three most strongly reported emotions prior to activities were 'excited', 'responsible' and 'creative'. Negative emotions such as 'stressed', 'tense' and 'overwhelmed' all reduced following activities, with additional strong increases for being 'confident', 'proud of myself' and 'capable', as shown below.

The word clouds below represent the respondents’ emotions both before and after being involved in the STEM communication activities. The larger the word the more respondents selected that option. (Note that the word colours and orientations do not have any particular meaning).