Taking impact evaluation to the next level

Native Scientist initiates a collaboration with renowned researchers at the University of Tübingen to evaluate the effectiveness of their innovative STEM+LANG outreach and educational programmes.

From day one, our Native Scientist team has been determined to develop educational programmes that have a real, positive impact on pupils and scientists. To this end, the developed science and language activities, usually referred to as STEM+LANG activities, have been regularly assessed by means of feedback surveys and informal interviews after each event. The information collected, together with a “You asked, We did it” attitude, has been paramount for Native Scientist’s progress and success.

Today, we are pleased to announce that Native Scientist is taking its assessment to a new level.

We have started collaborating with leading researchers at the University of Tübingen (Germany) to evaluate the educational programmes in a rigorous and scientific manner. By working with Tübingen’s renowned Hector Research Institute of Education Sciences and Psychology and the LEAD Graduate School and Research Network, we will be able to identify how our workshops impact pupils’ attitude towards science and heritage language. This, in turn, will allow us to further understand and improve our programme, rolling it out with confidence and to the best of our ability.

Dr Joana Moscoso, one of the founders of Native Scientist, says: “Our ambition is not only to deliver great programmes for speakers of heritage languages, but also to understand why our programmes work and how we can further improve them. We are therefore thrilled to be collaborating with the University of Tübingen, which will take our evaluation procedures to the highest level.”

Professor Ulrich Trautwein, Director of the Hector Institute of Education Sciences to Psychology and of the LEAD Graduate School and Research Network, added: “The Native Scientist programme is a highly innovative and ambitious educational intervention that is based on a profound theoretical framework. We are excited to study and, perhaps, add to the effectiveness of the programme by applying rigorous research designs.”

Professor Patrick Rebuschat, Distinguished International Professor at Tübingen’s LEAD Graduate School and Research Network, commented: “This is a wonderful opportunity for all involved. Native Scientist has done impressive work over the past six years, motivating thousands of young migrant children throughout Europe to consider a career in STEM. We are thrilled to be joining forces to further improve the effectiveness of their excellent STEM+LANG workshops.”

For more questions, or to get involved, please email our co-founder Joana (joana.moscoso@nativescientist.com).

In the photo, from left to right: Prof Patrick Rebuschat, Native Scientist R&D Advisor, LEAD Graduate School & Research Network, University of Tübingen; Prof Jessika Golle, Hector Research Institute of Education Sciences and Psychology, University of Tübingen; Dr Joana Moscoso, Co-founder and Director of Native Scientist; Dr Julia Schiefer, Hector Institute of Education Sciences and Psychology, University of Tübingen; Prof Ulrich Trautwein, Director of Hector Institute of Education Sciences and Psychology and of the LEAD Graduate School & Research Network, University of Tübingen.