Young people learn about and interact with health and fitness through multiple pedagogical sites, including after-school programs, print and social media, fitness centers, families and peers. As such, the purpose of this dissertation was to explore the ways in which Black and Latinx youth interacted with health and fitness in an urban after-school context. To do so, a visual ethnographic approach was used over 18-months, working with youth in different ways over that time period. Data generation methods included participant observation (field notes, informal conversations), semi-structured interviews, participant-driven visual diaries and a scrapbooking project. Data analysis involved various inquiry techniques such as thinking through (affect) theory, Maggie MacLure’s interpretation of coding, and collage as analysis. Affect theory, from a new materialist and feminist lens, framed this dissertation. Using these theoretical and methodological approaches, I share three manuscripts that highlight affective flows produced at different points in the dissertation research. These involve (1) a focus on beginning to experiment with visual methods and five youth; (2) a pedagogical encounter between four youth, two fitness professionals and myself; and (3) a collage-as-analysis that held potential to de-territorialize research practices as usual. Through these manuscripts, I argue that this dissertation begins to create (non-traditional) ways to reimagine health and fitness so that all bodies (Black/Latinx youth and fitness professionals, White woman researcher, images, texts, words) come to matter for research and pedagogical practices with high school-aged youth in an urban after-school context.

Title: Use of Jr. NBA League programme for the Czech basketball Objectives: The main goal of the thesis is to completely analyze all four seasons of Jr.NBA in Czech Republic and to suggest specific recommendations for organizers. Methods: To achieve the goal of the thesis there were used methods such as primary external data analysis, in-depth interview, online survey, participant observation and SWOT analysis Results: Aspects of communication of the organizational matters and organization of Draft and The Finals are among the strengths of the programme. Weaknesses such as the number of schools and high competitive game requirements for schools participating in the programme are found to be severe. The biggest opportunity of the project is in getting bigger and more intense cooperation of clubs both within the project and in a way of approaching more kids for their youth programmes or after-school activities. Sport events which will be taking place next year or years after can be significantly used for promotion of the project and Czech basketball as well. Possibly the next waves of global pandemic or some other consequences related to Mother Nature can be considered for real threats.

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This study explores how an afterschool science program for girls that uses a curriculum written by female scientists/science educators and highlights the contributions of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields affects girls’ perception of scientists, confidence in their science skills, belief in their ability to do science, and helps them construct a positive science identity. Using self-efficacy, identity, feminist, gender, and learning theories as theoretical frameworks, this study investigates how strengthening girls’ belief in their ability to do science and confidence in their science skills and content knowledge can increase girls’ curiosity and generate a sustained interest in science that may eventually lead to STEM degrees and careers later in life. By providing girls with hands-on science experiences that emphasize leadership, cooperative learning, critical thinking, and creativity, as well as female role models and stories of successful women in STEM fields, the study provides evidence of a successful intervention format that leads to a sustained interest in science both in and outside of school. Data were collected in this qualitative case study via a survey (with Likert scale and open-ended questions), an interview, and artifacts (student work), and analyzed using open and axial coding to look for themes in the data around participants’ changing perceptions of science and scientists, increasing confidence in their science skills and content knowledge, enhanced belief in their ability to do science, and positive identity construction. The results of this study provide information about how to format a successful after-school program with a curriculum and methodology that nurtures learning, and by proxy, generates greater achievement and participation in STEM among girls that could extend through secondary school and possibly into post-secondary education and career choices. HYPOTHESISters was an afterschool STEAM program for upper elementary-aged girls (4th and 5th grades) based in West Harlem. The program was conducted on twelve consecutive Saturdays, for two hours per session, in the fall of 2019 (September 21st through December 7th) at The Forum at Columbia University. The curriculum, developed by the primary researcher in conjunction with another educator, consisted of one 12-lesson outer space-themed unit. The program participants consisted of twenty girls - ten 4th grade girls and ten 5th grade girls, between the ages of eight and ten. Most of the participants reside in West Harlem or the surrounding area. Except for four girls who identify as Caucasian, most identify themselves as members of communities of color, with seven participants being Latina, eight being Black or African American, and one being Asian (from India).

Book Summary: The International Guide to Student Achievement brings together and critically examines the major influences shaping student achievement today. There are many, often competing, claims about how to enhance student achievement, raising the questions of "What works?" and "What works best?" World-renowned bestselling authors, John Hattie and Eric M. Anderman have invited an international group of scholars to write brief, empirically-supported articles that examine predictors of academic achievement across a variety of topics and domains. Rather than telling people what to do in their schools and classrooms, this guide simply provides the first-ever compendium of research that summarizes what is known about the major influences shaping students’ academic achievement around the world. Readers can apply this knowledge base to their own school and classroom settings. The 150+ entries serve as intellectual building blocks to creatively mix into new or existing educational arrangements and aim for quick, easy reference. Chapter authors follow a common format that allows readers to more seamlessly compare and contrast information across entries, guiding readers to apply this knowledge to their own classrooms, their curriculums and teaching strategies, and their teacher training programs.

This study evaluated after school program participation on student academic achievement as a way of helping schools meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) standards set by the No Child Left Behind Act. After school programs were divided into academic after school programs and traditional after school programs. Student achievement was measured through Criterion Referenced Tests in Language Arts and Mathematics. This study took place in a small urban school district located in the Intermountain West. Students in after school programs were matched with students not participating in the programs on several background characteristics including socioeconomic status, English language proficiency status, school area, race, gender, and guardianship. Hierarchical cross-classified modeling was then used to assess the impact of participation in an after school program on student test scores. This study found that participation in an after school program was associated with a decrease in Language Arts test scores and found no difference on Mathematics test scores. As well, academic after school program participants test scores were not considerably different from traditional program participants. This study shows that after school programs are not an effective way at raising student achievement and thus helping schools to meet AYP.

Utilizing Social Control Theory, this study explores the role of participation in After School Programs, mentoring relationships, and commitment to school in reducing adolescent delinquency. This study uses local survey data of 556 youth attending Boys and Girls Clubs collected from 2010-2012. The negative binomial regression results indicate that increased club attendance is associated with reduced delinquency. This effect is mediated by the presence of a mentor and by the youths' commitment to school.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of educational and vocational guidance, refer-only high school students tend to stay on their first selected program or to change the program. The theories used in the study deals with young people's choices and choosing education and vocational and life role as a student. The method was quantitative, descriptive survey. High school students in grades three, from two high schools, were asked to answer a questionnaire about perceived educational and vocational guidance. Convenience sample consisted of 162 respondents (N = 162), 86 women and 76 men. The results showed that a majority of respondents go left on their first selected programs, and has received academic and vocational guidance for school choice. The individual guidance and information in class was the most common guidance methods. In conclusion, the study showed that educational and vocational guidance are of importance regarding whether high school students choose to go left on their first selected program or not. The indicative density in the form of many individual conversations reduces the risk of any program changes.

Much educational research is currently devoted to determining the most effective instructional strategies for raising student achievement. The instructional strategy used in this study is curriculum integration, which is defined as the process of students and teachers collaboratively designing curriculum and studying real-world problems. The purpose of this study was to understand the implementation of curriculum integration with upper elementary school students in an afterschool program. For this study the guiding research question was "What are the dynamics of implementing curriculum integration with fourth through sixth graders in an afterschool program setting?" The subquestions were (1) What is the teacher's role in implementing curriculum integration in the program? (2) What is the role of student diversity in the implementation of curriculum integration in the program? (3) What is the role of the democratic classroom model in curriculum integration in the program? and (4) What is the role of college-age tutors in curriculum integration in the program? There are several factors to consider when examining a complex concept like curriculum integration. The study concluded that a number of conditions impact the success of implementing curriculum integration in an afterschool program for fourth to sixth graders, including the impact of the federal No Child Left Behind accountability act on the tutors', parents', and children's perceptions of the value of instructional activities that were not textbook-based and awareness of the importance of homework. The study concluded with eight recommendations for those who attempt to implement curriculum integration in an afterschool program. All stakeholders should understand the program's goals, and all program staff should have extensive training in curriculum integration and homework tutoring before and during the program's operation. Resources should be allocated with flexibility. Program evaluation should take into consideration factors not easily quantified. The program should meet daily for at least 3 hours at the school site. Ongoing supervision should prevent a lapse in program implementation. Program implementation should be considered on a continuum, with the goal being a fully implemented program. Mandatory staff meetings should be held each week. More research needs to be conducted on the full implementation of curriculum integration.

The increased emergence of childhood chronic illnesses in the United States of America has created a need for educational support in this unique student population. Research trends have showcased how the child's emotional health and vacancies in legislation are some of the affecting factors when discussing the level of academic aid these children receive from the state. Some other factors that come into play when ensuring children with chronic illnesses are not excluded from receiving quality education are their learning environment, school reintegration process, and evaluating pre-existing hospital-school programs which are all themes covered in this narrative. Teacher preparation programs are the best way to tackle this issue early on. By providing aspiring educators training on how to help these students, they will ensure a successful school reintegration for the child once they return to the traditional schooling setting. Hence, why this research focuses on the PedsAcademy, a pioneer Florida hospital-school program, and the aspiring educators' perceptions of their academic and socio-emotional impact on the students. The research questions are synthesized into three main topics: social-emotional impact, influence on aspiring educators, and state regulations. Each of these themes encompass further descriptive terms based on the survey and interview results, which include: meaningful academic and socio-emotional student progress, flexible teaching, unique opportunity, life-changing experience, and knowledge of state regulations. Through the data collection of survey and interview responses, this thesis records the research findings and establishes concrete recommendations that contribute to the preexisting materials on the educational support available for children with chronic illnesses.