Topic: Community Outreach

Work in the public sector is frequently part of the Rockman portfolio. We have helped clients evaluate and improve Web sites or other programs designed to provide information or services to the community and to enhance learning for members of various communities.

Big Read Public Library Study In collaboration with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the National Endowment for the Arts, REA surveyed some 14,000 public libraries across the U.S. that received The Big Read Audio Guides. The initial surveys were designed to learn how libraries might use the resources, with regular patrons, book clubs, schools, and in other literary and literacy outreach efforts. more» Client: Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Funding Agency: National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Topic: Informal Learning, Community Outreach

Buddy System Project The Buddy System Project was an effort to use technology to enhance learning in the schools and extend learning beyond the school day and into the home. Since 1988, the Project has placed computers in the homes of fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students in school systems throughout Indiana. Each student in the class had a computer, printer, and online access. more» Client: Corporation for Educational Technology Funding Agency: Corporation for Educational Technology Topic: Tech Reform, Community Outreach

California Academy of Sciences: Institute on Science and Sustainability Rockman et al developed an evaluation plan as part of a planning grant for the California Academy of Sciences' Institute on Science and Sustainability Program. The Institute on Science and Sustainability has built upon the Academy's strengths to create a network of master science teachers in the San Francisco Bay Area to raise the level of science education. more» Client: California Academy of Sciences Funding Agency: Bechtel Jr. Foundation Topic: Museum, Professional Development, Community Outreach, Technology and Education, Informational Media

California Academy of Sciences: Science in Action Rockman et al evaluated various design, technical, developmental, and educational elements of the California Academy of Science's Science in Action exhibit. Science in Action was launched in conjunction with the opening of the Academy's new state-of-the art facility in September 2008. Science in Action included a museum exhibit component, multimedia dissemination of content, and people-facilitated interactive experiences, and includes mission-related exhibit and programmatic changes to reflect new scientific discoveries by Academy and other scientists in the Bay Area and beyond. more» Client: California Academy of Sciences Funding Agency: Moore Foundation Topic: Museum, Community Outreach, Technology and Education, Informational Media

Career Coach REA served as the external evaluator of One Economy's online job site, the "Career Coach," located on their Beehive website. The Career Coach was designed to provide people with help planning and exploring potential careers, finding the right career, preparing for a job, looking for a job, and getting hired. more» Client: One Economy Corporation Funding Agency: The Rockefeller Foundation Topic: Web Sites, Community Outreach

Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration: Vistas Project REA completed a two-year study of the Lake Coastal Waters Project, a partnership with schools in the Lake Coastal Waters of northern Indiana funded by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Science classes in five schools participated in a community-centered science inquiry, exploring environmental issues on the northern edge of Lake Michigan. Students investigated specific problems, and, based on their research, offered viable solutions to enhance the ecology of the lake coastal area. more» Client: Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC) Funding Agency: Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC) Topic: Assessment, Instructional Materials/Programs, Community Outreach, Technology and Education, Distance Learning

Chicago Public Schools/University of Chicago Internet Project (CUIP) Chicago Public Schools/University of Chicago Internet Project (CUIP) was a partnership between the Chicago Public Schools and the University of Chicago that brought Internet connectivity to 29 public schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods around the university and provided technology support to help teachers integrate the Internet into classroom instruction. more» Client: University of Chicago Funding Agency: Joyce Foundation Topic: School Reform, Community Outreach, Technology and Education

Digital Connectors Qualitative Program Evaluation REA worked with the Comcast Foundation and One Economy to evaluate the effectiveness of their Digital Connectors program, a nationwide initiative to encourage underserved youth to learn about and use new technologies, develop leadership skills, become financially literate, participate in community service, and obtain computer programming skills. REA conducted site visits at select program locations to observe program instructors using the curriculum, distribute surveys, and discuss the program experience with youth participants, instructors, and community members. more» Client: Comcast Foundation Funding Agency: Comcast Foundation Topic: Community Outreach, Technology and Education

Evaluation of the Student Friendly Services Web Site The Intersegmental Coordinating Committee (ICC) contracted with Rockman et al to perform an in-depth assessment of the Student Friendly Services (SFS) Web site. The goals of the study were to give the ICC insights about users’ thoughts and opinions on the site’s navigation, appeal, content, and application in order to inform decisions on improving the site, attracting new users, and meeting the needs of current users. Rockman gathered feedback on key aspects of the site from more than 200 target audience members (students, parents, and educators). more» Client: Intersegmental Coordinating Committee (ICC) Funding Agency: Topic: Web Sites, Community Outreach

Havenscourt Salad Bar Evaluation REA conducted an evaluation of the impact of a salad bar implementation at the Havenscourt Middle School complex in the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). Project evaluation included pre-implementation student surveys and interviews, lunchroom observations, and post-implementation interviews with key project stakeholders (students, teachers, and administrators). more» Client: Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) Funding Agency: Bechtel Jr. Foundation Topic: Informal Learning, Community Outreach, School Services

Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Adventures REA served as the evaluator of educational outreach activities for a six-part KQED series called Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Adventure. In the program, Jean-Michel Cousteau and his diving teams explored an array of natural phenomena, investigated little known territories and ecosystems hundreds of feet beneath the ocean's surface, and came face to face with the friendly and ferocious inhabitants of the deep. more» Client: KQED Public Television Funding Agency: The Dow Chemical Company. Additional Major Support from: the William K. Bowes Jr. Foundation, Ann Bowers and The Robert Noyce Trust, the William and Gretchen Kimball Fund, the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. Topic: Instructional Materials/Programs, Informal Learning, TV/Radio, Professional Development, Community Outreach, Technology and Education, Informational Media

MY HERO Project The MY HERO Global Exchange program, funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, facilitated digital arts storytelling and video production workshops in Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Jordan, and Senegal, in conjunction with screenings from the U.S. Express anthology of art videos. more» Client: MY HERO Funding Agency: U.S. Department of State: Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs Topic: Instructional Materials/Programs, Web Sites, Community Outreach, Informational Media

myJobPath The Bay Area Video Coalition (BAVC) developed myJobPath, an online tool designed to assist low-income job seekers with their job search, through lessons and organization tools about networking. more» Client: Bay Area Video Coalition (BAVC) Funding Agency: The Department of Commerce: Technology Opportunities Program (TOP) Topic: Web Sites, Community Outreach

Pacific Film Archive: CineFile The Pacific Film Archive (PFA) received an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant to create an online film resource to increase K-20 classroom access to their archives. REA is evaluating the PFA's efforts to collect data from audiences and make design choices based on these data. more» Client: Pacific Film Archive Funding Agency: Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Topic: Instructional Materials/Programs, Museum, Web Sites, Community Outreach, Technology and Education

Pathways to Technology The Pathways to Technology project was a multimedia outreach effort created to raise awareness of the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technology Education (ATE) programs, operating at community colleges around the country. Developed by the WGBH Educational Foundation in Boston, the Pathways to Technology project showcased ATE programs to prospective students and the people who influenced them via engaging multimedia resources. more» Client: WGBH Educational Foundation Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF): Informal Science Education (ISE) Program Topic: Instructional Materials/Programs, TV/Radio, Community Outreach, Informational Media

Solar Schools Evaluation Rockman et al conducted an evaluation of Pacific Gas and Electric’s (PG&E’s) Solar Schools program. Solar Schools was developed to educate students, teachers, and communities about: the importance of electricity as an energy form, the value of renewable solar energy in meeting current and future energy needs, and solar energy technologies. more» Client: Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) Funding Agency: Bechtel Jr. Foundation Topic: Informal Learning, Professional Development, Community Outreach

YouthLink YouthLink was a program that employed young people to use digital media arts to realize their creative voices, explore career options, and contribute to their communities. Students took basic and advanced video or digital arts production classes that culminate in the creation of a portfolio of work. In the summer, students worked as interns at local technology and nonprofit organizations. more» Client: Bay Area Video Coalition (BAVC) Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF): Information Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) Topic: Instructional Materials/Programs, Web Sites, Community Outreach, Technology and Education