Assessment Summary I (Pre-test/Post-test)

The participants for this portion of the results consisted of 10 Access
classes (students who received free admission) and 17 additional classes
for a total of 27 classes. [Those students in the Access classes were
all from elementary schools (grades 3-5) with the addition of one other
class for a total of 11 elementary classes (41%); and, those students in
the remaining classes were from middle schools (grade 6-8) for a total
of 16 middle classes (59%).]{.mark} The Access classes [along with one
additional class]{.mark} participated in the program, *Our Place in
Space* and the remaining classes participated in the program, *Active
Atmosphere*. Classes that had incomplete pre and post-test data were not
included in the assessment summary. The assessment tool used was the
Classroom Performance System by E-Instruct. Participating students used
wireless response pads to answer multiple choice and True/False-style
questions. Students who participated in the *Journey to Earth* (grades
1-2) class were not assessed using the Classroom Performance System.

*Question: What was the average pre-test class point score for all
classes? For Access classes (those with free admission)?*

When examining the pre-test class point scores for all classes (N=27),
it was determined that the average score was 53.57%, ranging from 40.48%
to 72.73%. For those students who received free admission (the Access
classes), the average pre-test class point score (N=10), was 53.40%,
ranging from 40.48% to 61.05%.

*Question: What was the average post-test class point score for all
classes? For Access classes (those with free admission)?*

When examining the post-test class point scores for all classes (N=27),
it was determined that the average score was 70.11%, ranging from 52.86%
to 90.00%. For those students in the Access classes (N=10), the average
post-test class point score was 66.61%, ranging from 52.86% to 77.37%.

*Question: When comparing pre-test and post-test class point scores was
there a significant difference in scores (either positive or negative)?*

When comparing pre-test and post-test class point scores for the whole
group (N=27), the average pre-test % was 53.57 and the average post-test
% was 70.11, yielding a % difference of +16.54. While this % difference
is positive, it was also found to be statistically significant. When a
correlation was performed, the pre-test and post-test were significantly
correlated at the 0.01 level (p=.01), meaning that the tests measure the
same concepts. Further, the results of a T-test yield significance at
the .001 level (p\<.001\*\*\*), meaning that for the whole group the
difference between the pre-test average score and the post-test average
score was statistically significant. The T-test was chosen because it
assesses whether the mean (average) of two groups are statistically
different from each other.

When comparing pre-test and post test class point scores for the Access
group (N=10), the average pre-test % was 53.40 and the average post-test
% was 66.61, yielding a % difference of +13.21. While this % difference
is positive, is was also found to be statistically significant. When a
correlation was performed, the pre-test and post-test were significantly
correlated at the 0.05 level (p\<.01\*\*), meaning that the tests
measure the same concepts. Further, the results of a T-test yield
significance at the .001 level (p\<.001\*\*\*), meaning that for the
Access group the difference between the pre-test average score and the
post-test average score was statistically significant.

*Question: What was the average increase or decrease in class point
scores for the whole group? What was the average increase or decrease in
class point scores for the Access group?*

As previously mentioned, there was an average increase of +16.54% in
class point scores for the whole group and an average increase of +13.21
in class point scores for the Access group.

*Question: What percentage of classes showed improvement based on a
significant increase in class point scores? Specifically, what
percentage of classes showed at least a 10% increase in class point
scores?*

When considering the percentage of classes that showed at least a 10%
increase in class point scores, overall 85% of the classes showed an
increase of at least 10% or greater, ranging from 10.48% to 26.66%. More
specifically, for the Access group 70% (N=10) of the classes showed at
least a 10% increase in class point scores, ranging from 12.38% to
24.58%. For the remaining classes (N=17), 94% of the classes showed at
least a 10% increase in point scores, ranging from 10.48% to 26.66%.

Assessment Summary II (Visitor/Public Survey)

*Earth and Beyond*

Descriptive statistics for the *Earth and Beyond* Program yielded the
following: 10.3% of participants attended on Monday, 7.7% attended on
Wednesday, 25.6% attended on Thursday, and 56.4% attended on Friday
(N=39). In addition, participants were asked a series of general and
content questions and were asked for additional questions/comments. The
results indicated that 100% of the participants felt that the Science on
a Sphere enhanced their visit to the McWane Science Center; 100% agreed
that the Science on a Sphere images made a complex topic more
understandable; 82% (17.9% missing) felt as if they learned/gained
knowledge during their visit to the Science on a Sphere; and, 97.4%
agreed that they would visit the Science on a Sphere exhibit again.

In regard to content questions, 100% of participants stated that Earth
was NOT the only planet that has polar ice caps and 100% of participants
stated that the Great Red Spot on Jupiter was NOT a crater.

Additional questions/comments included very well presented
(knowledgeable presenter); fantastic, cool; see through version
(transparent); add or change signs to show where SOS is located; I love
this! So, so, etc. cool!; I love this exhibit but the problem I have is
the sound. I can never hear the sound due to all the surrounding noise.
I think it would capture the children's attention if they could hear.

*Journey to Mars*

Descriptive statistics for the *Journey to Mars* Program yielded the
following: 45%% of participants attended on Tuesday, 32.5% attended on
Wednesday, and 22.5% attended on Saturday (N=40). In addition,
participants were asked a series of general and content questions and
were asked for additional questions/comments. The results indicated that
95% (5% missing) of the participants felt that the Science on a Sphere
enhanced their visit to the McWane Science Center; 100% agreed that the
Science on a Sphere images made a complex topic more understandable;
97.5% felt as if they learned/gained knowledge during their visit to the
Science on a Sphere; and, 100% agreed that they would visit the Science
on a Sphere exhibit again.

In regard to content questions, 92.5% of participants stated that Mars
is tilted on its axis, while 7.5% answered no; and, 67.5% of
participants stated that Mars is NOT called the Red Planet because of
its temperature, while 32.5% answered yes.

No additional questions/comments were reported from this group of
participants.

*General Question Only*

Descriptive statistics for the *General Question Only Survey* yielded
the following: 18.2% of participants attended on Monday, 54.5% attended
on Tuesday, 9.1% attended on Wednesday, and 18.2% attended on Friday
(N=22). In addition, participants were asked a series of general
questions and were asked for additional questions/comments. The results
indicated that 100% of the participants felt that the Science on a
Sphere enhanced their visit to the McWane Science Center; 100% agreed
that the Science on a Sphere images made a complex topic more
understandable; 100% felt as if they learned/gained knowledge during
their visit to the Science on a Sphere; and, 100% agreed that they would
visit the Science on a Sphere exhibit again.

In regard to content questions, 100% of participants stated that Earth
was NOT the only planet that has polar ice caps and 100% of participants
stated that the Great Red Spot on Jupiter was NOT a crater.

Additional questions/comments included "this sphere is really cool! I
wish I had one at home" and "I want one for my birthday".