ERIC Number: EJ1407792
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-2576-6767
Available Date: N/A
"Anyone Can Be a Researcher": Findings from the MYHealth Virtual Summer Research Training Program for High School Students from Historically Marginalized Groups
Melissa DeJonckheere; Samantha A. Chuisano; Lisa M. Vaughn; Amanda Ajrouche; Alison Allen; Beatrice Palazzolo; Jane Rafferty; Tammy Chang; Matthew A. Diemer
Journal of STEM Outreach, v6 n2 2023
Despite ongoing efforts to increase diversity in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEM) fields, disparities persist. MYHealth Summer Launch is a virtual, out-of-school STEM outreach program aiming to increase participation of historically marginalized students in health research to develop researcher identity and science motivation. Thirty 9th-12th grade students were enrolled in the 10-day virtual program, where they learned research methods and engaged with academic researchers. We conducted a mixed methods evaluation to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the program, and the influence on researcher identity and science motivation. The evaluation included: 1) pre- and post-surveys measuring researcher identity and science motivation; 2) program participation; and 3) semi-structured interviews exploring program successes and challenges. Thematic analysis findings were integrated with quantitative outcomes (e.g., paired t-tests, linear mixed models) to evaluate program implementation. Students completed an average of 45.75 hours (48.75 hours max) of activities. Mean scores showed a statistically significant increase in researcher identity, intrinsic motivation, and science self-efficacy subscales. Salient themes included: 1) building community in an online environment; 2) exploring what it means to be a researcher. Future program offerings will build on these findings to foster researcher identity and motivation in this population.
Descriptors: High School Students, Disadvantaged Youth, Power Structure, Student Research, Summer Programs, STEM Education, Outreach Programs, Student Participation, Self Concept, Science Instruction, Student Motivation, Program Effectiveness, Self Efficacy, Electronic Learning, Research Skills, Research Training
Journal of STEM Outreach. PMB 0367, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville, TN 37203. e-mail: jstemoutreach@vanderbilt.edu; Web site: https://www.jstemoutreach.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: N/A
Sponsor: National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) (DHHS/NIH)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: R25GM137361
Author Affiliations: N/A