ERIC Number: ED655553
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 152
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-5970-3287-0
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Understanding Academic Relevancy: Linking Practice to Classroom through Adventure STEM Education
Alice Morgan
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, West Virginia University
The purpose of this research paper was to examine the relationship between vocational relevancy and adventure STEM education in the context of a four-day adventure STEM camp. Middle school students participated in a variety of adventure activities designed to teach STEM concepts. Using a concurrent triangulation mixed methods design, 246 students completed pre and post-surveys that assessed changes in attitudes related to STEM interest, career interest, STEM career knowledge, STEM identity, STEM self-efficacy, and STEM value. Fourteen students and eight teachers participated in semi-structured interviews to further examine the role of vocational relevancy in curricula. Overall, results indicate some support for increased positive STEM attitudes as a result of attending camp, with positive results across multiple data points for STEM self-efficacy (surveys, student interview, teacher interview). STEM interest received support in teacher interviews, STEM career interest in surveys and student interviews, and STEM career knowledge in surveys. STEM values showed conflicting results. Emergent interview data also indicated the possibility of an increase in students' social and interpersonal skills. Though further research in this area is needed, findings support a link between vocational relevancy and adventure STEM education. Future potential research avenues are also discussed. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Relevance (Education), Adventure Education, STEM Education, Camps, Middle School Students, Attitude Change, Student Interests, Vocational Interests, Career Awareness, Self Concept, Self Efficacy, Value Judgment, Program Effectiveness, Middle School Teachers, Teacher Attitudes
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A