We are very excited to start new evaluation work with Rowan University, NJ for their recently NSF-awarded Broadening Participation in STEM project titled, Virtual Reality Career Exploration: Introducing Underrepresented Students to High Need STEM Careers. The 3-year project seeks to improve the process by which high school students, specifically those in minority and rural populations, are exposed to STEM-related careers through virtual reality presentation(s). Through the use of immersive …
News and Updates
MNA’s Ongoing Work On NSF’s S-STEM Grants to Support Academically Talented High Needs Students in STEM Disciplines
There is no denying that a well-educated and informed science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce is a significant contributor to developing and maintaining the competitiveness of the U.S. in the global economy. The National Science Foundation's Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) program addresses the need for a high quality STEM workforce in STEM disciplines by supporting academically talented students with demonstrated financial …
(I Think) You Need to Know a Thing or Two To Say a Thing or Two
Look who has finally made it to a panel being organized by the Washington Evaluators on Navigating the Evaluation Job Market as a New & Emerging Evaluator. When: September 11 (next Friday) Time: 3-4PM EST How: Via Zoom Who: Washington Evaluators Register here- https://washingtonevaluators.org/event-3951875 If you have nothing better to do on a Friday mid-afternoon and may likely be feeling lazy (to write an evaluation report) or possibly dozing off in front of your laptop or …
MNA Signs Contracts With Tuskegee University For Multiple NSF-Funded Grants
We are very happy to begin our new partnership with Tuskegee University (AL) on multiple NSF-funded grants focused on building diversity and STEM pipeline in Materials Research: HBCU-UP, Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST), and Partnerships for Research and Education in Materials (PREM). CREST The Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) program supports the enhancement of research capabilities of minority-serving institutions through …
Research And Evaluation Plans In NSF Grants: How Are They Similar And Different?
Earlier this month, I received an invitation from the Hispanic Serving Institutions STEM Resource Hub (HSISTEMHub) based at the New Mexico State University to write a piece on the differences between a Research plan vs. an Evaluation plan for National Science Foundation grants. I thank the HSISTEMHub for the opportunity. As someone who often writes either (or sometimes both) a research and/or an evaluation plan for NSF grants, this topic is very near and dear to me. And unfortunately, this …
Give Them An Inch and They Shall Take a Mile
This year, we had a wonderful opportunity to engage two interns at MNA. Aneesha Goodala--our intern from last year--now a rising junior at the University of Virginia, returned to help us on a few National Science Foundation grants and Rhea Goswami--a rising STEM junior at the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, VA--who participated in an AI Workshop that MNA is evaluating for the Fayetteville State University in North Carolina. Rhea not only participated in …
Are There Specific Academic Degrees Or Technical Skills That Are More Appropriate to Become An Evaluator?
Last day of July. I thought I was done with my 3-questions and answers blogs this month. However, I received a couple of similarly-worded/intended questions this past week. I feel compelled to respond and close the loop: Are there specific academic degrees or technical skills that are more appropriate to become an evaluator? My response is a bit open-ended. But, honestly, what I am saying here is that it depends. In my earlier posts—Gentle Tips for New and Seasoned Evaluators Looking for …
Who Will Hire And Train An Absolute Novice? Will Anyone Want To Hire A Career Switcher?
On Saturday, I responded to the first question: (But) how do I find my first evaluation job? Today, I will respond to the next two questions (in bold) to the best of my ability. I am not an HR person/expert. I can only speak from my personal and professional experiences. (But) how do I find my first evaluation job? Who will hire and then train an absolute novice? Will anyone want to hire a career switcher? 2. Who will hire and train an absolute novice? There are …
(But) How Do I Find or Get My First Evaluation Job?
My “Gentle tips for (new and seasoned) evaluators looking for jobs” posted on LinkedIn on July 5 garnered some interest and queries. Thanks to the re-shares on LinkedIn and a few retweets on Twitter—it was viewed by over 5,000 people across the world. I am thankful to everyone who took the time to read. It would be a big lie if I said that I received 100s of queries and comments. There were a few–all good ones. The job-related questions that I received led me to write this 2-part …
One Last Look At An Evaluation Report
Some may call this a force of habit. Some may call this a final check to view a report’s design layout. I call this giving one last look before it is sent to the client. A full portrait of a report in a print layout. So many small slides laid out frame-by-frame. It is a visually satisfying moment. Over the years, my team and I have completed many evaluation reports. Yes, we tend to kept a count- just for fun. As of July 17th, MNA has completed 275 evaluation reports. We are …