Environmental Education Research Projects 2012  Junior Solar Sprints Longitudinal Study  Junior Solar Sprints Statewide  Life after H2

Junior Solar Sprints Longitudinal Research Project The Competition  Students work in teams to design and build solar-powered model cars  Learn aspects of renewable energy, physics & engineering  Correlated to Core Curriculum Content Standards

44 schools 738 teams 2,628 students 8 schools 39 teams 156 students

 Surveys from previous years  Measured program satisfaction  No qualitative or long-term data  Need to determine long-term outcomes & benefits  Does participation in the program influence educational interests and career paths in the future?  Does participation in the program create opportunities for young women to pursue careers in science and engineering? Statement of need

Methodology  Follow 263 (10%) participating in 2012 competition over a span of 11 years  Annual survey  Qualitative data  Quantitative data  Parental consent and school involvement  Incentives  Annual follow-up & reporting

Study year Number of participantsTasks 1263 Survey development -- Initial contact -- Secure participation through teachers, administrators and parents -- Survey distribution -- Reporting 2210 Follow up -- Survey analysis -- Reporting 3168 Follow up -- Survey analysis -- Reporting 4134 Follow up -- Survey analysis -- Reporting 5107 Follow up -- Survey analysis -- Reporting 686 Follow up -- Survey analysis -- Reporting 769 Follow up -- Survey analysis -- Reporting 855 Follow up -- Survey analysis -- Reporting 944 Follow up -- Survey analysis -- Reporting 1035 Follow up -- Survey analysis -- Reporting 1128 Follow up -- Survey analysis -- Reporting *Projections assume a 20% annual attrition rate

JSS Statewide  Success of program is measured by:  Increased participation  Positive feedback  Nine years of student & school involvement Next step is to expand the program

Methodology  Focus group  participants  Representatives from each county  Mixture of new/experienced teachers and volunteers  Topics to include  Where will a statewide competition take place?  What would the budget include?  How will it be organized?  How many coordinators are needed?

Why use a focus group?  Centralized, recordable  Need for new ideas & feedback  Promotes discussion  Critical stage in planning  Thoughts and experiences of individuals from different backgrounds

Life after H 2 The Competition  Students at the high school level design, build and race hydrogen-powered model cars  Annual competition involving several different schools

Methodology  Focus group  7-10 participants  Mixture of new/experienced teachers and volunteers  Topics to include  What program or event can replace H2?  Is it feasible?  What would be the budget for a different competition?  What similar programs or events have been used before?

Why use a focus group?  Centralized, recordable  Need for new ideas  Exposure to events previously unaware of  Input from those who will be involved in H 2 replacement