Gear Up 4 STEM: Final Impact Report

The purpose of this study was to understand if a STEM camp (Gear Up 4 STEM) offered during school breaks could improve science outcomes and engagement of elementary school students. This study followed two cohorts of students in Knox County Schools (grades 3, 4, and 5) over one school year and assessed their performance on the state administered science test (TN Ready) and their attendance at school. Students who participated in the Gear Up 4 STEM program had significantly higher scores on the TNReady science assessment in the spring of the year that they attended the program than a business as usual comparison group. The program did not have statistically significant effects on students' school attendance rates. Results show promise that the program improves science achievement, even with inconsistent participation by students. Descriptive statistics and full multilevel analytic model results are appended. [This technical report was produced for Knox County Schools.]