Cultivating Confidence: The Potential of Science Museum Visits in Boosting Science Self‐Efficacy and Expanding Perceptions of Science in Emerging Adult Learners.
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| Title: | Cultivating Confidence: The Potential of Science Museum Visits in Boosting Science Self‐Efficacy and Expanding Perceptions of Science in Emerging Adult Learners. |
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| Authors: | Chien, Hsin‐Yi1 (AUTHOR) hchien@exploratorium.edu, Gutwill, Josh2 (AUTHOR), Nee, Julia1 (AUTHOR), Shepard, Jenn1 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Science Education. Sep2025, Vol. 109 Issue 5, p1313-1335. 23p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Young adults, *Nonformal education, Self-efficacy, Science museums, Scientific literacy, Immersive design, Randomized controlled trials |
| Abstract: | This study examines the impact of a single science museum visit on the science self‐efficacy (SSE) of emerging adult learners. Building upon previous research, which showed a significant short‐term impact of a museum visit on SSE, our study aims to replicate these findings and gain deeper insights into the underlying mechanisms contributing to increased SSE. In the present study, we implemented a randomized control trial design and hired a recruitment firm to ensure a representative sample through quota sampling. Participants were randomly assigned to either visit a museum (Treatment) or see a movie (Control). In addition to visiting their assigned excursion, participants completed pre‐, post‐, and delayed‐post‐surveys and a virtual interview. Results demonstrate that visiting a science museum had a significant positive short‐term impact on SSE. Moreover, the museum visit led to an increase in SSE by broadening visitors' perceptions of what counted as science. Although no significant longer‐term impact on SSE was observed, participants who visited the museum maintained a broadened view of science even 3 months later. Interviews further revealed that positive performance interpretations during the museum visit, which were often achieved by participants exploring conceptually‐accessible, hands‐on exhibits at their own pace, played a vital role in enhancing SSE. Participants also described how the museum visit broadened their view of science by connecting science and daily activities. Implications of these findings for informal science education practitioners and directions for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Science Education is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Education Research Complete |
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| Header | DbId: ehh DbLabel: Education Research Complete An: 187844684 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Cultivating Confidence: The Potential of Science Museum Visits in Boosting Science Self‐Efficacy and Expanding Perceptions of Science in Emerging Adult Learners. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Chien%2C+Hsin‐Yi%22">Chien, Hsin‐Yi</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> hchien@exploratorium.edu</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Gutwill%2C+Josh%22">Gutwill, Josh</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Nee%2C+Julia%22">Nee, Julia</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Shepard%2C+Jenn%22">Shepard, Jenn</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR) – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Science+Education%22">Science Education</searchLink>. Sep2025, Vol. 109 Issue 5, p1313-1335. 23p. – Name: Subject Label: Subject Terms Group: Su Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Young+adults%22">Young adults</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Nonformal+education%22">Nonformal education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Self-efficacy%22">Self-efficacy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Science+museums%22">Science museums</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Scientific+literacy%22">Scientific literacy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Immersive+design%22">Immersive design</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Randomized+controlled+trials%22">Randomized controlled trials</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: This study examines the impact of a single science museum visit on the science self‐efficacy (SSE) of emerging adult learners. Building upon previous research, which showed a significant short‐term impact of a museum visit on SSE, our study aims to replicate these findings and gain deeper insights into the underlying mechanisms contributing to increased SSE. In the present study, we implemented a randomized control trial design and hired a recruitment firm to ensure a representative sample through quota sampling. Participants were randomly assigned to either visit a museum (Treatment) or see a movie (Control). In addition to visiting their assigned excursion, participants completed pre‐, post‐, and delayed‐post‐surveys and a virtual interview. Results demonstrate that visiting a science museum had a significant positive short‐term impact on SSE. Moreover, the museum visit led to an increase in SSE by broadening visitors' perceptions of what counted as science. Although no significant longer‐term impact on SSE was observed, participants who visited the museum maintained a broadened view of science even 3 months later. Interviews further revealed that positive performance interpretations during the museum visit, which were often achieved by participants exploring conceptually‐accessible, hands‐on exhibits at their own pace, played a vital role in enhancing SSE. Participants also described how the museum visit broadened their view of science by connecting science and daily activities. Implications of these findings for informal science education practitioners and directions for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of Science Education is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
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| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1002/sce.21958 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 23 StartPage: 1313 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Young adults Type: general – SubjectFull: Nonformal education Type: general – SubjectFull: Self-efficacy Type: general – SubjectFull: Science museums Type: general – SubjectFull: Scientific literacy Type: general – SubjectFull: Immersive design Type: general – SubjectFull: Randomized controlled trials Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Cultivating Confidence: The Potential of Science Museum Visits in Boosting Science Self‐Efficacy and Expanding Perceptions of Science in Emerging Adult Learners. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Chien, Hsin‐Yi – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Gutwill, Josh – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Nee, Julia – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Shepard, Jenn IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 09 Text: Sep2025 Type: published Y: 2025 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 00368326 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 109 – Type: issue Value: 5 Titles: – TitleFull: Science Education Type: main |
| ResultId | 1 |
