Inverness Research Associates (IRA) documents activities and overall effectiveness of the network, and the evaluation will help the network reflect on its work and identify key features of the model, which will in turn inform how to adjust for continued sustainability beyond the life of the grant.

TexNET is glad to have Inverness on board because it is ideally suited to serve in such capacity. This is based on their significant experience evaluating projects with similar aspects in terms of audience, exhibits, and model, including studies of science education in rural communities (through NSF’s Rural Systemic Initiatives), studies of informal science education to under-served communities (including NSF’s Community Science Workshop project) and studies of exhibit development which include a collaborative component (TEAMS, Starter Sets, and Exhibit Resource Collaborative). They have also studied traveling exhibits to non-traditional venues (OMSI’s National Science Outreach Network). The Inverness group knows the Texas context well as they evaluated the Texas Eisenhower program, and served as the evaluators for the initial Texas Center for Inquiry at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.

In TexNET, IRA examines how staff from the five museums work together; the extent to which and ways in which participating in the network influences museums and staff; and overall lessons learned. It is conducting a multifaceted evaluation of relationships between constituents, exhibits, and the network as a whole. Using a “logic model”, they identify the project’s theory of action and study critical components. They are a “critical friend” to the network, raising issues as museums work together, and providing feedback on realities of the field through their work with partner staff and community members served by museums. Evaluation focuses on tools of the network (professional development and exhibits). IRA also assesses network design and sustainability.

Staff from IRA working on TexNET includes Mark St. John.