Impact evaluation of Foundation Science Centre programme on Grade 8 learners’ science performance in South Africa

Science centres are viewed globally as unique institutions, contributing to science education. In the study reported on here we focused on the impact of the Palabora Foundation Science Centre on the academic performance of Grade 8 learners. The study was guided by the pragmatic paradigm, mixed research design, mixed research approach, and the science centre impact model (SCIM). A total of 50 Grade 8 learners and 2 tutors participated in this study. Interviews, questionnaires, and pre-post tests were used for data collection. The thematic data analysis method and the Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) data analysis method were used to analyse qualitative and quantitative data respectively. The results of both interviews and questionnaires revealed that science centres like the Palabora Foundation Science Centre have a strong impact on the academic performance of learners and the learners are now positive towards attending science centres to acquire more knowledge about science. The findings of this study may contribute immensely in improving the attitudes of learners towards science, their academic performance, and increase the number of learners who select science as major subject. It is recommended that communities should be motivated to support the learning of science in science centres and a similar study should be conducted.