The mission of building a stronger, more inclusive U.S. STEM workforce demands a core competence in evidenced-based research and evaluation. Rigorous evaluation is the most reliable way to gauge program effectiveness, inform public understanding, foster program improvement, and validate the impact of STEM program investments.
Since its launch with federal seed funding in 2002, BEST has:
• Conducted a Congressionally-mandated national search for effective STEM diversity programs
• Analyzed the STEM program portfolios of the Office of Naval Research and the U.S. Army
• Prepared a report on “What Works in STEM Education in San Diego, California"
• Produced reports on STEM capacity for the Governor of Missouri and the Kansas Legislature
• Developed a white paper on the mentoring of women in STEM within the Department of Defense
• Provided management oversight for an independent evaluation of the DoD STEM Diversity Campaign
Publications, Reports, White Papers
Research and Evaluation Commissioned by the DoD
The Talent Imperative in Science and Technology
An Evaluation of Army Educational Outreach Programs
A Report to the Director for Research and Laboratory Management
Ensuring Excellence
Action Steps to Increase Return on Investment from ONR and NRE Education Programs
A Report to the Office of Naval Research
White Paper on Mentoring Women in DoD STEM
BEST Grant Evaluation
National Search for Excellence in STEM Education
What it Takes
Pre-K-12 Design Principles to Broaden Participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
The Talent Imperative in Science and Technology
Diversifying America’s Science and Engineering Workforce
A Bridge for All
Higher Education Design Principles to Broaden Participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
The Talent Imperative
Meeting America's Challenge in Science and Engineering, ASAP
Reports Commissioned by Foundations
What's Working
A Guide to Effective K-12 Math and Science Education in San Diego County
Building Kansas's Capacity in METS
BEST compiled this data book to help inform the work of the Kansas Legislature’s Advisory Committee on Mathematics, Science & Innovation. Research sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
Building Missouri's Capacity in METS
BEST compiled a data book to provide a shared baseline of analysis to support Missouri Governor Blunt's Summit on building Missouri's capacity in mathematics, engineering, technology and science. Research sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.