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A community collaboration ignites curiosity for STEM

A unique collaboration connecting science and recreation aimed to inspire Columbus, Ohio’s youth to embrace STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) through creative and engaging summer experiences. Recognizing the critical impact of summer on combating learning loss, exacerbated by the aftermath of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department (CRPD) joined forces with the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) to offer more than 1,200 youth transformative science-based programming.

To inspire the students and speak to their sense of wonder and curiosity, CRPD and COSI centered the summer camp experience on NASA space and space exploration. Youth across 21 CRPD locations engaged with educational content and tools that encompass the COSI educational ecosystem model: online, offsite and onsite.

The content and tools provided by COSI included: (1) training and awareness of COSI Connects resources, scientific thinking and inquiry-based learning via a professional development seminar for camp counselors; (2) a NASA James Webb Space Telescope Learning Lunchbox kit for each of the 1,200 campers; (3) a field trip to the COSI science museum; and (4) a special live science show for campers during their field trip to COSI. The COSI educational ecosystem provided ample opportunity for CRPD camps to recreate with STEM across a broad spectrum of space-themed resources aimed to be fun, engaging and educational.

Built into the collaboration was an evaluation of the program outcomes. COSI utilized two techniques for two audience types. Camp counselors took pre- and post-questionnaires. The campers were surveyed by way of a “sticker survey,” a unique method of soliciting feedback from youth, as it is a fun way to answer evaluation questions. These questions were five-point close-ended scale questions featuring five emoji faces from bored to very interested, in which youth place one sticker on the emoji of their choice.

Outcomes of the professional development showed that camp counselors learned about themselves during the summer, indicating an increase in perceived knowledge about STEM and increased comfort in teaching scientific thinking and inquiry-based learning.

Outcomes stemming from the sticker surveys show that youth showed an interest in science careers across all activities (median scores were 4 out of 5) and especially showed an interest in learning more (median scores were 5 out of 5). These results show the suite of summer activities stimulated interest in career choice, as well as overall learning over the summer months.

We share these programmatic outcomes to serve as a beacon, encouraging other recreation organizations to explore collaborations with local science centers and museums. The summer months offer a prime opportunity for youth to break out of normal school routines and recreate, so why not do so in a way that connects STEM and recreation?

By joining forces, park and recreation organizations and science centers can redefine summer recreation, infusing it with the excitement of STEM exploration and making a lasting impact on the youth in their communities.

Elizabeth A. Marchio, Ph.D., is Internal Research and Evaluation Associate; Katherine Liming is Manager of Local External Affairs; and Andy Aichele is Vice President of Education at the Center of Science and Industry. Kerry Francis, APR, is Communications Officer; Bernita A. Reese, M.S., CPRP, is Director; and Kenton B. Curtis Jr., is Assistant Director at Columbus (Ohio) Recreation and Parks Department.