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A case for stronger STEM promotion

Patternmakers was commissioned to evaluate the reach and impact of Inspiring Australia Queensland and their efforts to facilitate STEM engagement.

 

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A case for stronger STEM promotion

An Impact Evaluation for Inspiring Australia Queensland (IAQ)

During the period between 2017-2021, IAQ invested $144,000 each year to support STEM engagement in the state – with $75,000 devoted to National Science Week.

Ahead of a new funding period beginning in 2022, Patternmakers was commissioned to conduct a series of stakeholder interviews, data analysis and 5 case studies to evaluate its impact and identify learnings for the future. We were thrilled to take on the task and apply our research skills within the STEM sector on such a high-profile event such as National Science Week.

Key findings:

The need for programs like IAQ appears to be increasing, as Australia faces worsening STEM outcomes in some areas.

With concerning trends surrounding STEM education, lack of job-readiness in Australia, and the underrepresentation of women and First Nations people in STEM education and employment, programs like IAQ are incredibly valuable.

18% of Queenslanders participated in National Science Week (NSWk) in 2021, up from 9%, with digital events helping to increase the event’s reach

A Kantar Public survey of 1,200 Queensland residents aged 18+ showed that National Science Week has broad awareness among Queenslanders (48% of respondents had heard of NSWk in 2021, up from 42% in 2018).

The digital availability of events appears to have made them more accessible – with around 1 in 5 people participating doing so online.

Major National Science Week events have reached up to 5,000 people in-person and 170,000 people online

Major events organised by the NSWk Coordinating Committee are having significant reach, such as the Queensland Firebirds Game which spread the IAQ message to up to 5,000 people - while a Twitter Takeover allowing STEM experts to answer questions and promote their research garnered 170,000 impressions. This tells us that NSWk is achieving its goal of making science accessible and appealing for many attendees.

Supported by Inspiring Australia QLD, 6 Regional STEM Hubs are offering opportunities for networking and regional development

Between 2017-2021, 6 Regional STEM Hubs in QLD were established with the goal of inspiring community collaboration and grassroots science engagement in key regions. Networking appears to be a real strength of the hubs, and many have formed robust cross-sector partnerships with universities, tourism partners and local businesses. Leveraging their regional networks and relationships, STEM Hubs have been able to deliver local events that appeal to community members or speak to community science needs.

Case studies demonstrate the broad range of impacts occurring through IAQ investment:

  • Tec-NQ’s Open Day used IAQ funding to show prospective students that the trades are STEM careers

  • An Indigenous Science Experience helped students at Logan schools appreciate Indigenous Australia’s long history of science innovation

  • Cobb+Co Museum’s role as ‘the centre’ of the Darling Downs STEM Hub helped the organisation grow its networks – and reach more Toowoomba residents with science

  • IAQ’s organising committee partnered with the Firebirds to reach young women and girls at a netball game and demonstrate the possibility of a STEM career

  • A ‘Future Earth’ panel at Marsden State school utilised young STEM leaders to show high school students the career possibilities related to climate solutions.

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Creating resources for sector-wide advocacy with the NYAC program

Patternmakers has partnered with ATYP and other Youth Performing Arts organisations to produce a set of advocacy assets for the National Youth Arts Connections (NYAC) program.

Patternmakers has partnered with ATYP and other Youth Performing Arts organisations to produce a set of advocacy assets for the National Youth Arts Connections (NYAC) program.

The NYAC program is designed to strengthen relationships between Youth Performing Arts organisations and communicate the importance of Youth Arts to funders and other stakeholders. Patternmakers‘ role is to review existing research about the impacts of Youth Arts and generate some key messages that can be shared by Youth Performing Arts organisations to advocate for the sector.

We’re looking forward to presenting our findings at the NYAC summit in July 2022.

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Proving the benefits of Gallery engagement for young people

Patternmakers worked with MCA to explore whether MCA’s GENEXT, a festival-style event for young people, had benefits for their mental health and wellbeing.

We worked with the Museum of Contemporary Art to evaluate their GENEXT Program, a festival-style event for people aged 12-18 years featuring live music, performances and art- making and interactive experiences.

We explored how GENEXT impacts individuals in real time and later in life through a series of interviews with key stakeholders, two focus groups, a series of observations, and a survey of over 1,000 past and present GENEXT attendees. We sought contributions from experts in mental health, government funding and the arts.

Our research proved that GENEXT positively impacts young people’s mental health and well-being while also helping them to cultivate their creativity and experience a sense of belonging.

The work has been used in conversations with funders and has been presented at conferences internationally, adding to the knowledge base in a growing field.

Visit out publications page to read the report.

Image credit: MCA, David Goldblatt

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The Impact of Youth Theatre on Mental Health

We worked with ATYP to explore the impact of youth theatre on mental health and launch the findings at the Arts & Health Conference.

We worked with ATYP to explore the impact of youth theatre on mental health and launch the findings at the Arts & Health Conference.

This project involved a review of existing research, and new qualitative and quantitative research including depth interviews, an online discussion board and a survey of 1,200 parents, participants and stakeholders. We also provided advice on an organisation-wide research framework.

The results demonstrated the positive impacts of participating in theatre for young people, and the importance of theatre skills in building self confidence, communications skills and resilience. The findings were published in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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Impact Evaluation for Terrapin Puppet Theatre’s Schools Touring Program

From 2019 - 2021, Patternmakers worked with Terrapin to evaluate the impact of its Schools Touring Program on Tasmanian students, teachers and communities.

We worked with Terrapin to evaluate the impact of its Schools Touring Program on Tasmanian students, teachers and communities.

We explored the impact of the program in delivering puppet theatre to Tasmanian children for over 35 years. The research was conducted in three phases: a teacher survey and depth interviews in 2019, classroom observations in 2020 and further fieldwork in 2021.

The results provided insights into the impact of the program on Tasmanian culture and communities, as well as identifed the program’s successes and opportunities for improvement. The research also assisted Terrapin to partner with Blundstone on delivering an access program which reached over 4,000 additional student attendances.

For more information, read the case study linked below:

Image Credit: Scaredy Cat in a Tasmanian primary school 2021, Peter Mathew

 
 

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Impact Evaluation of Sydney Philharmonia Choirs

In 2019 and 2020, we worked with Sydney Philharmonia Choirs to evaluate the impact of choral participation. This is the largest study of its kind ever conducted in Australia, with over 2,800 participants.

In 2019 and 2020, we worked with Sydney Philharmonia Choirs to evaluate the impact of choral participation. This is the largest study of its kind ever conducted in Australia, with over 2,800 participants.

This work involved a series of depth interviews with stakeholders, focus groups current and past choristers, and singers in the broader community. A second objective of the study involved surveying other choristers in NSW and ACT about the impacts of choral singing.

The study highlighted chorister experiences and domains of impact and identified opportunities for future development as the organisation celebrated its centenary year.

Image Credit: https://www.sydneyphilharmonia.com.au/

 
 

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Growing contemporary First Nations performance

Patternmakers worked with BlakDance to seek feedback on its work, and gather input from stakeholders to inform its new strategic plan. BlakDance went on to carve a new direction in production of new works.

We worked with the national peak body for Indigenous Dance, BlakDance, to ‘catch and keep’ its impact from 2018 to 2020.

We invited BlakDance stakeholders to contribute their experiences and ideas via a series of depth interviews and an online survey.

We also analysed existing datasets to tell the story of First Nations dance and build an evidence base that both BlakDance, and its stakeholders, can rely on for planning, funding applications and advocacy work going forward.

It has assisted BlakDance in its conversations with partners, to advocate for additional funding and raise the profile of contemporary First Nations dance. The company was recently awarded the 2021 Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award.

Read more about this project on the blog:

https://www.thepatternmakers.com.au/blog/blakdance-launches-its-impact-survey

Image credit: BlakDance

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Understanding community impact with Bundanon Local

Patternmakers worked with Bundanon Trust to evaluate the impact of its community-engaged art program, Bundanon Local.

We collaborated with Bundanon Trust to undertake an impact evaluation of its community engagement program, Bundanon Local in 2019.

The research involved a co-design process with the Trust’s staff, a series of depth interviews with artists and key stakeholders, as well as a survey of Bundanon’s networks.,

The findings highlighted that the program plays a vital role in the Shoalhaven community in providing access to Arthur Boyd’s legacy and facilitating a space for young and emerging artists to connect with professional practitioners and nurture their creativity.

The project helped to identify future opportunities for the Trust to expand the reach and impact of the program for more communities.

Read about and download the report:


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Impact Evaluation for Musica Viva's In Schools program and Wyniss Ensemble

In 2019, we worked with Musica Viva to evaluate the impact of its Musica Viva In Schools (MVIS) program, and the Wyniss Ensemble specifically.

We worked with Musica Viva to evaluate the impact of its Musica Viva In Schools (MVIS) program, and the Wyniss Ensemble specifically.

This project involved a series of classroom observations, depth interviews and an online survey of teachers who have engaged with the program. We also analysed Musica Viva’s past teacher surveys and bookings data.

The findings highlighted the domains impact of the program, identified opportunities for improvement, barriers preventing access to the program as well as students’ and teachers’ experiences.

Image Credit: www.musicaviva.com.au/news-stories/2021/aug/musica-viva-in-schools-2022-has-launched/

 
 

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Impact Evaluation Partner for BlakDance

In 2018, we worked with the national peak body for Indigenous Dance, BlakDance, to ‘catch and keep’ its impact from 2018 to 2020.

We worked with the national peak body for Indigenous Dance, BlakDance, to ‘catch and keep’ its impact from 2018 to 2020.

We intived BlakDance stakeholders to contribute their experiences and ideas via a series of depth interviews and an online survey.

We will analysed existing datasets to tell the story of First Nations dance and build an evidence base that both BlakDance, and its stakeholders, can rely on for planning, funding applications and advocacy work going forward.

Image Credit: https://www.blakdance.org.au/

 
 

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