IMPACT
Forging Lives through Fire and Glass
GlassRoots programs include exciting workforce development programs, youth leadership and entrepreneurship programs, and curriculum for STEM learning based on glass. Here are some examples of our impact!
Our Programs
At the conclusion of our 19th year, GlassRoots has served over 25,000 young people, maintaining our primary focus on youth and young adults in under-resourced communities within the city of Newark, as well as in the greater Newark area in nearby communities of Orange, East Orange, and Irvington. GlassRoots’ programs take place at both at our studios and on location within the community at schools, municipal recreation centers and community centers. We serve youth and young adults via:
GlassRoots’ programs offer participants multiple opportunities to develop social-emotional skills, as well as multiple opportunities to practice creativity, cooperation, collaboration and communication; skills which will serve them throughout their lives, inside and outside of academic settings. GlassRoots’ programs encourage and promote students to create and innovate, to reach and exceed their potential, and to guide them towards educational and career opportunities that they may have not had access to otherwise, including in STEM and STEAM based careers and occupations.
Whatever the setting, GlassRoots programs encourage and promote students to create and innovate, to reach and exceed their potential, and to guide them towards educational and career opportunities that they may have not had access to otherwise. Our programs offer students:
Our Impact: Evaluation Tools and Methods
To measure the effectiveness and impact of our programs, GlassRoots uses a number of tools including, beginning in 2015, data collection and analysis using a Program Evaluation and Assessment protocol developed and funded through the generosity of the Victoria and Geraldine R. Dodge Foundations.
Our primary instrument is a questionnaire, or survey, designed to measure changes in behavior, attitude and knowledge. Students participating in a one day workshop complete a single exposure post-program survey; students in long-term programs complete pre and post program surveys which measure growth. We continue to use paper surveys but have added online/digital versions using QR codes. Additionally we use teacher observations, interviews and reflective conversations between teachers and students, and post-program de-briefings in the assessment of all our programming.
The Year in Numbers
In 2019-20, GlassRoots delivered a total of 4,609 hours of glass-art instruction during 2,470 visits. Together we:
For a fourth year, both anecdotal and quantifiable program evaluation data demonstrate consistently high satisfaction rates with both our one-day and long-term programs:
To read the complete 2020 Program Evaluation Report click here.
To read evaluation reports from previous years, please click below.
GlassRoots programs include exciting workforce development programs, youth leadership and entrepreneurship programs, and curriculum for STEM learning based on glass. Here are some examples of our impact!
Our Programs
At the conclusion of our 19th year, GlassRoots has served over 25,000 young people, maintaining our primary focus on youth and young adults in under-resourced communities within the city of Newark, as well as in the greater Newark area in nearby communities of Orange, East Orange, and Irvington. GlassRoots’ programs take place at both at our studios and on location within the community at schools, municipal recreation centers and community centers. We serve youth and young adults via:
- school field trips
- high-quality after-school, weekend, and summer workshops, both in-person and via remote learning
- workforce development and entrepreneurship programs that develop skills and create opportunities to generate income
- glass-art education programs for people of all ages in our public weekend and evening classes, and
- glass-art educational programs for adults and young adults with developmental disabilities
GlassRoots’ programs offer participants multiple opportunities to develop social-emotional skills, as well as multiple opportunities to practice creativity, cooperation, collaboration and communication; skills which will serve them throughout their lives, inside and outside of academic settings. GlassRoots’ programs encourage and promote students to create and innovate, to reach and exceed their potential, and to guide them towards educational and career opportunities that they may have not had access to otherwise, including in STEM and STEAM based careers and occupations.
Whatever the setting, GlassRoots programs encourage and promote students to create and innovate, to reach and exceed their potential, and to guide them towards educational and career opportunities that they may have not had access to otherwise. Our programs offer students:
- specific connections to New Jersey State Learning Standards in art, math and science
- a connection to STEM and STEAM based careers and occupations
- multiple opportunities to practice 21st century skills such as creativity, cooperation, collaboration and communication, and
- multiple opportunities to develop social-emotional skills which are transferable to other areas in life. Public benefits of our work include access to the arts for at-risk youth and under-resourced communities.
Our Impact: Evaluation Tools and Methods
To measure the effectiveness and impact of our programs, GlassRoots uses a number of tools including, beginning in 2015, data collection and analysis using a Program Evaluation and Assessment protocol developed and funded through the generosity of the Victoria and Geraldine R. Dodge Foundations.
Our primary instrument is a questionnaire, or survey, designed to measure changes in behavior, attitude and knowledge. Students participating in a one day workshop complete a single exposure post-program survey; students in long-term programs complete pre and post program surveys which measure growth. We continue to use paper surveys but have added online/digital versions using QR codes. Additionally we use teacher observations, interviews and reflective conversations between teachers and students, and post-program de-briefings in the assessment of all our programming.
The Year in Numbers
In 2019-20, GlassRoots delivered a total of 4,609 hours of glass-art instruction during 2,470 visits. Together we:
- delivered 24 hours of virtual instruction to over 20,000 participants, once we closed due to the Covid19 health crisis
- instructed 163 youth & young adults on location at schools, community centers and art centers
- hosted 340 youth in our studios for unique, STEAM-based field trips and workshops
- taught 179 participants, ages 10 and up, in public classes
- trained 158 adults in private groups, lessons and studio rentals
- entertained and amazed over 225 people at school and community events, streets fairs and festivals, and
- measured over 60,000 impressions in combined reach through our social media channels, for our Virtual Studios programs and online events, from March to June
For a fourth year, both anecdotal and quantifiable program evaluation data demonstrate consistently high satisfaction rates with both our one-day and long-term programs:
- Program Satisfaction: 96%
- Would return for programs: 91%
- Would recommend to family and friends: 99%
To read the complete 2020 Program Evaluation Report click here.
To read evaluation reports from previous years, please click below.
Read our annual Evaluation Reports here:
| glassroots_2018-19_program_evaluation_report.pdf |
| glassroots_2017-18_program_evaluation_report.pdf |
| fy_17_evaluation_report_final_v2.pdf |
| academic_year_2015-16_evaluation_report.pdf |