Time after time: Uncovering the Lasting Influence of Informal Physics Program Participation

Increasingly, research is showing that informal physics programs are beneficial for both youth participants and postsecondary student facilitators. However, few studies have shown the long-term effects of informal physics program participation. Our current study takes a longitudinal approach to better understand how youth participants benefit from participation in an after-school physics program, PISEC. Through annual surveys and interviews with youth, we strive to gain clearer insights into various long-term benefits of program participation, such as STEM interest, STEM identity, sense of belonging, and STEM trajectories. In this talk, we present preliminary results from 2 years of data collected with our validated STEM Identity survey and interviews with current and prior program participants. We will also discuss the challenges encountered thus far, plans for future work, and implications for other informal STEM programs looking to document long-term effects of program participation with limited cost and effort.