Study: 90185

Department-funded evaluation

Review Details

Reviewed: December 2021

No statistically significant positive
findings

Meets WWC standards with reservations

For:

Department-funded evaluation (findings for Physical Science and Engineering Invention Kit Curriculum for Middle School)

Using:

Rating:

Meets WWC standards with reservations because it uses a cluster quasi-experimental design that provides evidence of effects on individuals by satisfying the baseline equivalence requirement for the individuals in the analytic intervention and comparison groups.

This review may not reflect the full body of research evidence for this intervention.

Evidence Tier rating based solely on this study. This intervention may achieve a higher tier when combined with the full body of evidence.

Findings

Physical sciences outcomes—Substantively important positive effect found for the domain
Outcome measure	Comparison	Period	Sample	Intervention mean	Comparison mean	Significant?	Improvement index	Evidence tier
Assessment of physical science and engineering knowledge (researcher-developed)	Physical Science and Engineering Invention Kit Curriculum for Middle School vs. Business as usual	0 Days	Full sample; 419 students	1.45	1.16	No	--

Evidence Tier rating based solely on this study. This intervention may achieve a higher tier when combined with the full body of evidence.

Sample Characteristics

Characteristics of study sample as reported by study author.

8% English language learners
Female: 49%
Male: 51%
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Virginia

Race
Black		15%
Other or unknown		22%
White		63%

Ethnicity
Hispanic		12%
Not Hispanic or Latino		88%

Study Details

Setting

Seven middle schools from the Virginia districts of Albemarle County, Charlottesville City, and Fluvanna County participated in the impact study. Four schools from these three districts agreed to use the invention kits during the 2017–18 school year and composed the treatment group. All students from treatment schools enrolled in both engineering (elective course) and physical science (required course) participated in the intervention. An additional three schools from Albemarle County were selected by the districts to be part of the comparison group given their regional location and their overall similarities in demographic composition with treatment schools.

Study sample

On average, study schools were 49% female, 15% Black, 12% Hispanic, 63% white, 10% other race/ethnicity, 8% English learners, 13% students with disabilities, and 34% economically disadvantaged.

Intervention Group

The Physical Science and Engineering Invention Kit Curriculum for Middle School project teaches key science and engineering principles and related skills to middle school students through constructing modern interpretations of past great inventions. The intention of the kits is that as students analyze the historical context and cultural significance of the inventions, they are inspired by the power of new ideas within science and engineering to transform human life. By creating an entry-point of understanding for students through a series of science and engineering invention kits, students will gain experience that will allow them to build their technical knowledge of the science and engineering principles demonstrated by the fundamental inventions. With greater technical knowledge and interest in engineering and science, students will perform better on assessments of their engineering and science skills, retain fundamental science knowledge and skills, have more confidence in their learning abilities, and be more likely to pursue advanced careers in science, engineering and math.

Comparison Group

Schools in the comparison condition implemented business as usual engineering curriculum. Comparison students were likely exposed to instruction and support services as they had been in the past.

Support for implementation

Teachers in the intervention received the kits including lab, activity, and challenge instructions, electronic computer-aided design files and instructions, and teacher guides.

Study of Physical Science and Engineering Invention Kit Curriculum for Middle School: External Evaluation of the Investing in Innovation Central Virginia Advanced Manufacturing Development Grant 78. Making Research Relevant