Evaluation

During my Spring semester, I took a course on Theory of Change. In this course, we learned how to create a Theory of Change visual for an intervention. In this course, I chose to develop a Theory of Change for my parachutes project.

I learned that a Theory of Change can be used as an evaluation tool. A Theory of Change clearly lays out the goals of a project, and how you think inputs and activities will lead to outputs and outcomes. The product is a representation of how your project would work in an ideal world. You can examine the actual outcomes of your implementation, and see if they align with your Theory of Change. If they do not, then you know your intervention is not working as intended, and you must either update your design, or rethink your Theory of Change.

My Theory of Change for my Parachute Project

Below you can view my Theory of Change for my parachutes project. When evaluating this design, I can observe if the outputs and short-term outcomes happen in the way I imagined. If they do not, I know my design is not working the way I intended it to.

In the future, I will use what I have learned about evaluation to ensure that my designs are working the way I intended. When designing for informal STEM environments, I will observe the outcomes of my designs. I will see if my designs are working successfully and if they are not, I will iterate and improve upon the design. Science museums are constantly striving to improve the museum experience for their guests. In the future, I hope to help a science museum achieve this goal by utilizing what I know about evaluation.