Lack of diversity in the science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) has been a problem for many decades and continues to be a concern. Efforts to recruit and retain underrepresented minorities (URMs) in the workforce include outreach programs that target students at different educational levels. Prior studies examined the effects of these programs, basing the success on the number of students who continued to pursue field-specific higher education. In this study, I investigated the effect of outreach programs by reviewing studies on 15 programs and inclusive high schools that recruit students for STEMM. I also examined program components to determine any commonality among these programs to create a guide for developing more effective programs. Based on the review, outreach programs were able to achieve their goals and sustain students’ interests in the fields. The common elements found among the programs include: stimulating learning environment, hands-on activities, mentorship, and incentives. Based on the common features of the programs, I predicted that the Boston Area Health Education Center (BAHEC) program has the design of curriculum that can lead to success, but offering a type of mentorship can further ensure the effectiveness of the program.

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The goal of this study is to provide a better understanding of the impact of outreach programs designed to impart technology skills to middle-school students from underserved communities, on both participants and their families. An outreach program, called Hi-Tec CompNow, was chosen for this study. This program was conducted as an after-school program for middle-school students from underserved communities in central Texas wherein participants learn computer hardware and software skills during a ten-week period. The study utilized (a) an interpretive analysis of the data generated from a questionnaire administered at the beginning and end of the program to obtain participants‟ computer beliefs, (b) program observations recorded by the researcher during program sessions, and (c) interviews conducted by the researcher with participants and their families after program completion. Results of the study showed that the majority of participants experienced some increase in their CSE beliefs at the end of the program, but the changes were not statistically significant. The study further illustrated that participants interviewed by the researcher expressed increased confidence in computers, spent more time on home computers, and were able to resolve computer issues in their homes. Parents were pleased with the program as well and generally expressed increased confidence in their children‟s computer skills. The study identified some of the program attributes which seemed to have led to enhanced CSE beliefs in most participants. These included hands-on experiences and teacher demonstrations of computer skills. In addition, the study found that student encouragement through family support and commitment had a positive impact on participants‟ CSE beliefs, while negative family input had a negative impact. Lack of culturally-responsive learning content, participants‟ lack of use of the dial-up Internet service provided cost-free for a year, and perceptions that the computers provided by the program were outdated and thus not fully functional were factors which seemed to have undermined the program‟s impact on digital equity. Additionally, the program provided software which focused on document creation, spreadsheet-based analysis, and presentations. However, the study also revealed that most participants utilized home computers for more “recreational” purposes, e.g. playing games, and playing and/or editing music, games, and videos. The study suggests that well-intentioned outreach programs such as Hi-Tec CompNow are making laudable efforts to bridge the digital divide. However, they need to reinvent themselves to ensure underserved populations do not get left behind in a digital world that has moved beyond the desktop computer. To enhance the digital literacy of the underserved, digital equity programs must provide opportunities to build their skills in multimedia, mobile media and online participation in addition to fostering access to newer computers of good quality with high-speed and wireless Internet. / text

This is a qualitative study whose purpose was to investigate the community radio education practices and the museum outreach education activities with a view to understanding how a museum-radio partnership may be used to engage the Livingstone community in environment and sustainability learning. Environment and sustainability issues require a community approach in order to bring about sustained responses to environmental challenges. As such, the study worked with social learning ideas of engaging the community in environment and sustainability learning. The data was generated mainly from face-to-face semi-structured interviews involving three community radio stations, Radio Listener Clubs and museum experts. The data generated was then presented to a strategy workshop involving the Livingstone Museum and Radio Musi-otunya staff. Arising from this workshop, recommendations were made about the possibility of the museum working in partnership with the radio to engage the community in environmental education. The study has shown that much of the museum environmental education activities have been confined to exhibitions and lectures within the museum building, which has affected the number of people being serviced by the museum. These education activities are arranged such that museum expert-led knowledge is presented to the audience with minimal community engagement on the environmental learning content. The study has also shown that community radio programming provides opportunities for community-led social learning which the Livingstone Museum could make use of to engage the community in environmental learning. Community radio programming allows community participation through Radio Listener Clubs, in identification and presentation of local environmental issues. This makes it a suitable tool to address locally relevant environmental issues, by the local community. Environmental issues are different from one place to another. Therefore environmental education approaches that bring issues into the museum may fail to address the different environmental education issues in different community context. The study concludes by recommending that Livingstone Museum should explore the use of community radio so that their expert knowledge and that of the radio producers could be used to shape environmental education programmes to go beyond awareness-raising.

This study analyzed the perceptions of 13 school staff and their experiences with the implementation of GEAR UP TN. The primary purpose of this study was to examine how program activities and services are being sustained after funding for GEAR UP TN ceased. Qualitative methodology guided this study. This approach allowed for the perspectives and lived experiences of the school staff to be voiced and heard. Data collected included their stories based on semistructured interviews and observations. Findings are presented in 4 themes that pertain directly to the research questions regarding key elements that contributed to program continuation, procedures that initiated program continuation, organizations in a collaborative that were sustained after funding, and program services not continued. In this specific case there continues to be school district support, community support, parental support, and a level of financial and technical support from other funding sources. Recommendations based on the results of the study are (1) implement college visits, ACT workshops, dual enrollment classes, and parent FAFSA workshops to create a college going culture; (2) gain support from the school board, parents, and the community; (3) maintain sufficient financial and human resources for precollege access programs and services; and (4) build partnerships with local colleges and universities.

In Fall 2022, Auburn University Libraries faculty and staff hosted an orientation event for newly arrived international graduate students. Highlights of the event included tours of major library service points, a shared meal, and a meet and greet for graduate students and subject librarians. A key takeaway for both groups was an increased awareness of the differences that exist between U.S. academic libraries and those in other countries. The authors discuss elements of the library orientation that worked well, and address lessons learned that will be used to improve future events.

A qualitative study was conducted to identify perceptions of high-risk pregnant Aboriginal women during pregnancy. Five women were interviewed by the researcher who is also Aboriginal. Each woman was a client of the Healthy Mother Healthy Baby pregnancy outreach program in Saskatoon, and was considered to be at high-risk for poor pregnancy outcomes. Interviews were conducted utilizing a phenomenologically-based model of research, from which emerged themes or commonalities of thought between each woman during this time of their lives. The themes were discussed with Aboriginal women elders who worked with Aboriginal families in Saskatoon, for further insight and discussion of the findings. The themes were collated under one general theme called `hopes and dreams.' Each theme included the interest of these women to `want to' move ahead with their lives in the area of improving their relationships with their offspring, their partners, and within themselves. Though each women talked about these areas as being important, all except one did not manifest them in their lives.<p> The implications for the delivery of health care services include the need for health care workers to gain further understanding of the positive motivational factors of high-risk pregnant Aboriginal women that work towards achieving long-term positive behavioural changes, and thus reduce the risks of poor pregnancy outcomes. Other recommendations from this research for health promotion programs include the development of a partnership with the urban Aboriginal community in delivering culturally-based services and teachings to complement the educative and supportive model of program delivery.

A qualitative study was conducted to identify perceptions of high-risk pregnant Aboriginal women during pregnancy. Five women were interviewed by the researcher who is also Aboriginal. Each woman was a client of the Healthy Mother Healthy Baby pregnancy outreach program in Saskatoon, and was considered to be at high-risk for poor pregnancy outcomes. Interviews were conducted utilizing a phenomenologically-based model of research, from which emerged themes or commonalities of thought between each woman during this time of their lives. The themes were discussed with Aboriginal women elders who worked with Aboriginal families in Saskatoon, for further insight and discussion of the findings. The themes were collated under one general theme called `hopes and dreams.' Each theme included the interest of these women to `want to' move ahead with their lives in the area of improving their relationships with their offspring, their partners, and within themselves. Though each women talked about these areas as being important, all except one did not manifest them in their lives.<p> The implications for the delivery of health care services include the need for health care workers to gain further understanding of the positive motivational factors of high-risk pregnant Aboriginal women that work towards achieving long-term positive behavioural changes, and thus reduce the risks of poor pregnancy outcomes. Other recommendations from this research for health promotion programs include the development of a partnership with the urban Aboriginal community in delivering culturally-based services and teachings to complement the educative and supportive model of program delivery.

This case study examined the Screen It! Program and focused on how this program benefitted the students. This study focused on students’ perceptions and in order to have a holistic understanding of the phenomenon, it was important to understand the viewpoint of museum educators, teachers, and students. In these types of museum-school partnerships, students’ voices are rarely heard and considered when creating curricula. Therefore, consideration of students’ voices may help museum educators craft these partnership programs in the future. Three themes emerged emphasizing the importance of expectations and program goals, curricular relevancy to student life and community, and meaningful learning outcomes. Along with utilizing relevant learning theories during classroom instruction, by actively responding to the voices and needs of the students in these areas, museum educators can provide more meaningful learning experiences for students. / text

In the past, little has been written about the practical aspects of outreach. This thesis investigates the value of outreach and how it is put into practice in British Columbia's community archives. Interviews with managers of four community archives were conducted. The findings reveal that three of the interviewees regard outreach as a high priority and a fundamental part of regular activity. For these respondents, outreach activities have been positive and beneficial. They have successfully used outreach to augment and assist with acquisition, preservation and use of archival records. Only one interviewee presented a passive and cautious approach towards outreach. Results of this study indicate that outreach activities are not influenced by the administrative setting or the budget of the archives. This study identified the essential components necessary for the implementation and delivery of successful outreach initiatives as: a regular source of funding, incorporation into an annual work plan, district goals and objectives that are relevant to the mandate of the institution, attention to the target audience, community co-operation and support, and evaluation of results. This study reaffirms the value of archivists practising outreach, and provides encouragement to those who are looking for concrete methods of approaching outreach.