The researcher explored the impact of a student voice initiative (SVI), the Student Ambassador Council (SAC), on the social-emotional competencies (SECs) of middle school, 5th-8th grades students. Drawing upon the principles of youth empowerment, more specifically Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR), and social-emotional learning (SEL), the…

The purpose of this study was to examine and understand the implementation experiences and program impacts of "The Leader in Me" (LIM) via the perspectives of the students, staff, and administrators at RAE Elementary School. Many teachers believe they could be more effective in the classroom if not for having to deal with classroom…

This study aims to improve the leadership skills of sixth-grade students. Generally, student leadership models are made for higher education. There are very few studies on younger age groups. This study was synthesized, and 13 student leadership dimensions were determined. Since these dimensions are not a continuation of each other, they are…

Building Opportunities and Overtures in Science and Technology (BOOST) is an early intervention, multi-level, continuous STEM pathway program. Born out of a partnership between Duke University and Durham Public Schools, the BOOST program provides 6th through 8th grade students underrepresented in STEM fields with interactive, in-depth explorations…

Student-designed games (SDG) are a student-centred approach that motivates students to work together while designing and playing their own games based on their ability level. The purpose of this study was to investigate students' social interactions during 11 lessons of SDG focused on target games. Participants were 27 fifth-graders. Lessons were…

This qualitative case study investigated gifted elementary students' (N = 24) perceptions of studying a one-semester leadership course based on the Multidimensional Curriculum Model (MdCM). Data were a semistructured interview at the end of the unit, four short written reflections, and analysis of the "future scenario" product. Findings…

Since public schools began in the United States, there has been an academic gap between different groups of people. In normal face-to-face situations, the academic gap is not closing. In March 2020, schools closed worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This led to emergency remote teaching. Because of the uncertainty of the pandemic, educators,…

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the applications of learning together and group investigation methods at different intervals on the features of cooperative learning model. The study sample comprised the sixth, seventh and eighth grade students studying in a public middle school. In the first year of the application,…

Physical activity and sport programs offer great opportunities for youth to develop important life skills, including leadership. High school physical education leadership courses are one way to develop leadership and pedagogy skills in students. Leadership courses are also a great way for aspiring physical education teachers in training to gain…

Courtney Loynachan was a student in Dr. Lindquist's summer 2014 "Teaching Science in the Elementary School" methods course at Hamline University in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The course included an exploration of the power of writing as a learning tool for science with a particular focus on the use of science notebooks. Throughout the…

This qualitative case study, conducted in the Midwestern United States, explored the perceptions of teachers at two different elementary schools as they implemented a physical activity program during the school day. The program engaged students in daily physical activity through brief, organized, structured physical exercise. Interviews and…

Over the past few decades, service-learning has surged in popularity. Although most programs are implemented in high school and college classrooms, service-learning has the potential for great impact in middle school. The present article evaluates a pilot service-learning program for fifth- and seventh-grade (N = 86) children in a large, urban,…