Informal learning experiences have become increasingly effective in enhancing self-efficacy and interest in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).This study investigated the impact of access to informal STEM learning experiences on student self-efficacy and interest in STEM before and after participating in the 2018 See Blue See STEM Summer Experience. Pre-survey results indicated that middle school students who had previous access to informal STEM learning experiences are 3.21 times as likely to demonstrate high self-efficacy in STEM as those who had no previous access. After engaging in the 2018 summer experience, post-survey results showed a statistically significant increase in student self-efficacy in STEM and indicated that students who had previous access to informal STEM learning experiences are 4.13 times as likely to manifest interest in STEM as those who had no previous access. These results suggest that increasing exposure to informal STEM learning experiences enhances both self-efficacy and interest in STEM.

ABSTRACT THE REVOLUTION BEGINS AT 3PM: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF A STATEWIDE 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS PROGRAM by Corrie L. Davis The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how teachers and staff members demonstrated caring toward their students within a statewide 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) afterschool program. The participants in the study included 17 program directors, 22 site coordinators, 16 teachers, 3 paraprofessionals, 11 parents, 11 principals, and 18 other stakeholders associated with the program. This multi-site case study utilized the naturalistic paradigm of qualitative research. The data collection process included 98 semi-structured interviews, 22 participant observations, 112 photographs, and document analyses with materials from the 20 grantees selected in the sample. The qualitative software program, Atlas.ti: The Knowledge Workbench (2003) assisted with the management and analysis of data during the coding, categorizing, and interpretation process. Findings from the study revealed 3 central themes: (a) staff members that care about the whole child educate the whole child, (b) using culture as an asset increases students’ desire to learn and (c) building character promotes positive change. By incorporating these attributes, the program’s staff demonstrated their commitment to the academic and democratic advancement of the students in their care. This study will help inform policy makers, afterschool advocates, and 21st CCLC stakeholders about the importance of incorporating caring, culturally relevant pedagogy, and character education within local and national afterschool programs.

This thesis explores the impacts of afterschool programs on youths’ feelings of inclusion and exclusion in small communities. A case study of the Fusion Youth Activity and Technology Centre in Ingersoll, Ontario was conducted to learn from youth about their experiences growing up, about the challenges they faced and the benefits they gained from participating in Fusion’s programs. This project focused on the youths’ perspectives, and employed various task-centered activities such as visualization and narrative techniques to engage youth and gather data. It also highlighted different tensions between youth and the community and how youth navigate these tensions while growing up. The study found that the space, staff and programs offered by the Fusion Youth Centre do change youths’ feelings of inclusion and exclusion in Ingersoll. However, there remains work to be done to change the systems of exclusions that make youth feel disconnected from their community.

I fritidshemmets verksamhet arbetar fritidspedagoger med IKT och digitala verktyg på olika sätt och i olika grad, och har i uppdrag att ge barnen en meningsfull fritid där deras behov och intresse står i centrum. Syftet med denna studie har varit att undersöka hur fritidspedagoger uppfattar olika möjligheter som IKT erbjuder dem i sin undervisning samt vilka svårigheter som de upplever i sitt arbete med IKT i fritidshem. Metoden i denna studie är av kvalitativ ansats, där insamling av data har skett med hjälp av semistrukturerade intervjuer med fem verksamma fritidspedagoger. Studiens resultat visar att IKT och digitala verktyg erbjuder många olika möjligheter för såväl lärarens undervisning som barnens lärande och utveckling. Dock framkommer det att det finns aktuella svårigheter som upplevs av respondenterna, vilket i sin tur begränsar användandet av IKT i fritidshem.

Background: Childhood obesity is a pressing public health concern; the prevalence of childhood obesity is 15.5% in Virginia. About 15% of Virginia's K-12 population participates in after-school programs (ASPs), identified as appropriate venues in which to promote healthy eating. In 2011, the National Afterschool Association (NAA) adopted the evidence-based Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Quality Standards (HEPAQS) to address snack quality and physical activity in ASPs. Although research has indicated promise in implementation of such policies in after-school programs, a need for assessment of effectiveness still exists. Are the quality standards being implemented effective in increasing positive nutritional habits among children in ASPs? In 2014, Danville Parks and Recreation (PandR), a key partner in the Dan River Partnership for a Healthy Community (DRPHC), adopted the HEPAQS policies to improve the nutrition and physical activity of attending students. Objective: The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the adopted HEPAQS Healthy Eating standards by comparing the quality of snacks served at the ASP sites before and after the HEPAQS policies were implemented. A secondary purpose of this study was to describe the quality of snacks among both policy-adoption and comparison sites. The tertiary purpose of this study was to compare the quality of program versus non-program snacks in the ASPs. Methods: To meet the objective, a natural experiment followed a pre-post evaluation design to determine the impact of adoption of the Healthy Eating standards at three policy-adoption ASPs. Applying an interrupted time series design, a total of 531 children's snack observations were performed across all sites during a five-week pre-policy adoption data collection period and 412 total snack observations were performed during a six-week post-policy data collection period. Direct observation methods including a modified quarter-waste method for dietary observations and the HAAND tool were conducted by trained research staff to collect snack quantity, type, brand, and amount consumed. Observational data was entered into statistical software for hypothesis testing. Data were also analyzed using Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR) software to determine the mean servings, fluid ounces, or grams of each nutrient specified in the adopted Healthy Eating standards. Results: Adoption of the Healthy Eating standards among the three policy-adoption sites did not result in better snack quality based on adherence to the Healthy Eating standards. Policy-adoption sites were only meeting four of the nine adopted Healthy Eating standards post-policy, almost all of which were also being met pre-policy: serving foods without trans-fats, serving no sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), limiting fruit juice to one 8 oz. serving, and avoiding artificially sweetened beverages. By post-policy data collection, policy-adoption sites were not meeting five of the nine adopted standards: weekly serving a fruit or vegetable, offering water at all times, serving no candy or sugar-based snacks, emphasizing whole grains, and serving no snack chips. Although no significant changes were expected among comparison sites, they saw a significant increase in 100% fruit juice consumption and a decrease in grams of trans-fat from pre- to post-policy data collection. Across all five sites, program snacks were generally healthier than non-program snacks, as program snacks contained less SSBs, sweets, and snack chips. Conclusion: Adoption of the Healthy Eating standards among the three policy-adoption sites did not result in better snack quality. Pursuing additional HEPAQS regarding implementation, staff training, and social and program support may be necessary to impact snack quality. ASPs may improve non-program snack quality by addressing HEPAQS for vending machines and guidelines provided to parents regarding non-program snacks. The PandR partners of the Dan River Partnership for a Healthy Community should continue to seek support as they implement the Healthy Eating standards in their ASPs. / Master of Science

This thesis is about the Reading and Writing for Filmmaking Afterschool program, an extracurricular focus group centered around engaging urban immigrant and minority working-class high school students in a discussion about high school dropout using participatory video as a methodological tool. The program was created under the assumption that, (1) within 'free spaces' students who are encouraged to express themselves and explore their social realities through innovative methods will reveal their understanding of high school dropout and the factors contributing to it, and (2) the way these students conceptualize and talk about high school dropout is significant to understanding this phenomenon. Through participatory video, observation, interviews, and storyboard narratives, I examine the discourse of minority and immigrant students as a means of understanding their cultural assumptions and observations of school dropout. As a result, this paper illuminates the issue of immigrant educational retention and attrition in an urban public school setting.

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to research strategies of successful afterschool programs and their effectiveness in promoting student achievement and closing achievement gaps. Many afterschool programs have boasted of their ability to improve student achievement. Some students who participated in afterschool programs have shown an increase of improved academic performance. However, studies have indicated that students are still performing below grade level on national and state curriculum standards. Data have shown that fifth graders across the state ofGeorgiaare struggling in math, social studies, and science. Effective academic afterschool programs may have assisted struggling students in raising their Criterion Reference Competency Tests (CRCT) scores. Afterschool programs have the ability to help students socially, emotionally, culturally, behaviorally and academically. The variables addressed in the study are (a) program effectiveness, (b) student motivation, (c) parental involvement, (d) successful program structure, (e) student attendance, (f) student involvement/ socialization, (g) climate of the program, and (h) student expectations. Data were gathered using observations, face-to-face teacher interviews, document analysis, teacher questionnaires, and student questionnaires. The sample was 24 (18 students from school A and 6 students from school B) fifth grade students in two select afterschool programs whose CRCT data were compared to students in the same school but do they did not attend the afterschool program. The comparison group was 18 fifth grade students from school A and 15 fifth grade students from school B. The CRCT test data revealed how well students may perform on standardized tests even if they do not attend the afterschool program. Although CRCT test data were used to help determine the effectiveness of the afterschool program in improving academic achievement in fifth grade students, there may be other factors that contributed to student success. The fifth grade students were selected because they are mandated to takeGeorgia’s standardized CRCT. In mostGeorgiacounties, if students do not pass all parts of the CRCT, they will not be able to move on to the next grade level. The results revealed that students in the study enjoyed attending the afterschool programs. After review of the CRCT data, it was determined that most of the study participants and the non-study participants mostly met or exceeded in reading and math. School A had an adequate study group of 15 students. School B only had four students’ CRCT test scores. Two students in school B scored below grade level in math. The study also revealed that there may be other factors as to why students perform well on the CRCT.