ERIC Number: EJ1342882
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022-Jul
Pages: 36
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0743-5584
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Youths' Perceptions of Features of a Museum-Based Youth Development Program That Create a Supportive Community Context: A Qualitative Case Study
Mroczkowski, Alison L.; Price, C. Aaron; Harris, Natalie C.; Skeeles-Worley, Angela D.
Journal of Adolescent Research, v37 n4 p571-606 Jul 2022
Supportive community contexts are critical to positive youth development. Out-of-school time (OST) programs serve as supportive community contexts, and participation in OST programs is associated with a host of positive outcomes for youth. Cultural centers, such as museums, have been identified as potentially supportive community contexts for youth. Still, museums have been mostly absent in the broader research discussion of the role of community-based OST programs in promoting positive youth development. The current article presents a qualitative, single-case study of 37 youth between the ages of 13 and 18, the majority of whom identified with racial/ethnic identity groups traditionally underrepresented in OST program participation, in which we examined youths' perspectives of the features of a museum-based, science-focused, youth development program that they found to be particularly supportive. Five themes emerged, including (a) the program structure, (b) meaningful opportunities and experiences offered by the program, (c) relationships with staff, (d) a positive peer culture, and (e) sense of belonging. The results provide detailed insight into how cultural centers, such as museums, can serve as supportive community contexts for youth development.
Descriptors: Attitudes, Youth, Museums, Youth Programs, Disproportionate Representation, Science Education, Nonschool Educational Programs, After School Programs, Cultural Centers, Informal Education, Adolescent Development
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: 1514593
Author Affiliations: N/A