ERIC Number: EJ1337413
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Aug
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2576-6767
EISSN: N/A
Informal STEM Learning for Rural Teens: Focusing on First Responders
Kastelein, Kate; Atkinson, Jennifer; Byrd, Scott; Allen, Sue
Journal of STEM Outreach, v3 n1 Aug 2020
We describe the adaptation of an existing afterschool STEM program in order to make it more relevant and effective for rural teens. The award-winning Teen Science Café (TSC) program was modified to redirect focus away from traditional, academic STEM careers toward STEM in First Response, a field whose members are common and visible in rural areas. The program was implemented and organized by TSC Mentors, local adults who connect youth with out-of-school STEM resources and professionals. We found that attendance at multiple TSCs had a significant impact on how youth viewed First Response in their community, as well as STEM careers in general. This work demonstrates that it is possible to find professionals with robust and exciting STEM expertise in rural areas, to adapt existing STEM program models to connect these professionals to rural teens, and to use these adapted models to help teens become more aware of the STEM opportunities in their communities and increase their interest in STEM First Response careers.
Descriptors: STEM Education, Rural Schools, After School Programs, Mentors, Youth Programs, Adolescents, Allied Health Personnel, Police, Emergency Medical Technicians, Fire Protection, Vocational Interests, Emergency Programs, Veterinary Medicine, Health Personnel
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: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Maine
Grant or Contract Numbers: 1322827