ActApp: The Toolkit. Visit the Toolkit page to use Activation Lab tools.
TOOLS: MEASURES AND DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENTS
We have developed and tested a variety of survey instruments, interview and observation protocols, and other instruments for use in our research efforts. We have listed some of these below and provided links to technical briefs where available. If you would like to learn more about any of these, feel free to contact us.
Science Learning Activation
Science Learning Activation Survey – Designed to be used with 10-14 year olds, these survey scales are used to assess an individual across each of the four dimensions of science learning activation. These scales can be used concurrently to measure the multi-dimensional construct of science learning activation or separately to measure individual dimensions.
- Fascination
- Values
- Competency Belief
- Scientific Sensemaking
STEM Learning Activation
STEM Learning Activation Survey – Designed to be used with 10-14 year olds, these survey scales are used to assess an individual across multiple dimensions of STEM learning activation. Please note that these can be used in conjunction with the scientific sensemaking scale included above. These scales can be used concurrently to measure the multi-dimensional construct of STEM learning activation or separately to measure individual dimensions.
- Fascination
- Values
- Competency Belief
- Innovation Stance
Emerging STEM Learning Activation – Designed to be used with 7-9 year olds, this survey is used to assess the degree to which a child demonstrates emerging STEM learning activation.
Successes
Engagement Survey – This survey measures a respondent’s self-reported cognitive, behavioral, and affective engagement during a science learning opportunity.
Choice Preference Survey – This survey is used to measure student’s preference for selecting science and science related options when presented with an array of potential choices.
Engagement Observation Protocol – This observation protocol is used by a trained observer to score an individual’s engagement in a science learning experience.
Other Surveys and Scales
Demographic – This survey is used to collect general demographic information (e.g., age, gender, ethnicity, languages spoken at home, parental education level) and to measure two particular factors related to demographics: (1) resource availability (e.g., a quiet place to study, a calculator, an internet connection) and (2) the emphasis the family places on learning (e.g., adult helps with homework or is familiar with what is going on at school).
Collaborative Scientific Sense-Making (CSSM) Survey – The collaborative scientific sensemaking survey measures the extent to which a respondent feels that they made sense of the scientific content in an activity on their own or in collaboration with others.
Perceived Autonomy in a Science Investigation (PASI) – This 10-question survey measures a respondent’s perception of the autonomy they had in designing and conducting their science investigation, an important component of “authentic” science learning.