Addresses the effects of an after-school computer club network, the Fifth Dimension, on children's computer knowledge development. Compares Fifth Dimension novices and "experts" who had attended several times previously. Concludes that despite the absence of formal instruction, children's knowledge about computers is enhanced. (AEF)

Schedules, characteristics, and wellness needs of community college students are often very different from those of traditional college students, and wellness programs at these institutions have an important impact on students' lives, both during and after the college experience. Issues to be considered include assessment of the needs of a diverse…

Presents an alternative to the competition fostered through traditional science fairs. The Science Expo is an all-day event meant to show students and the community that science is fascinating and fun. (PR)

Presents an alternative to the traditional science fair. The Science Expo features students projects, science games, teacher demonstrations, and business and organizational exhibits. (PR)

Examines the origins of the British Federation of Women Graduates (BFUW) in the context of feminist concerns with women's positions in the universities in the early 1900s. Depicts the difficulties faced by the organization during their first 30 years. In 1990 the BFUW became the British Federation of Women Graduates. (MJP)

A high school vocational education teacher who customarily had students participate in cocurricular competition through the Future Farmers of America examined students' feelings about competition. Students revealed that winning was not the only important factor, though they wanted to feel well-prepared before competing. They appreciated the…

The tension between "urban" and "research" in an urban research university has led to the creation of a small, service- and community-oriented honors program that serves the needs of academically talented students at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Another hallmark of the program is its constantly evolving…

Notes that teachers see the computer as a tool to help them teach better, while students use computers to play games, chat, and design Web sites. Describes the after-school program Kids Learning In Computer Klubhouses (KLICK!) that operates clubhouses within local middle schools. Discusses what participants have accomplished for themselves, their…

The stories of three young people from low socioeconomic backgrounds highlight significant issues in educating gifted students living in poverty. Major themes uncovered included educators who maintained high expectations, the positive influence of enriched teaching-learning opportunities and extracurricular activities, and the success of a…

This study examined factors associated with relative stability of peer rejection among elementary school-aged children. Results of prospective and retrospective analyses suggested that perceived social status, participation in extracurricular activities, locus of control, and parental monitoring were all positively related to status improvement…

Data from an annual Higher Education Research Institute survey of college freshmen (n=275,811) at 469 institutions are summarized, including student demographic and educational characteristics, educational and career plans, majors, principal social and extracurricular activities, political and social attitudes, and personal objectives. (MSE)

Discusses Wichita (Kansas) School District's constructed policy to "create an equal footing" for girls of all races, ethnicities, and social class to become cheerleaders. Finds the policies were not successful. Highlights importance of peer-group affiliation in adolescent girls' lives and how this marker of identity intersected with a…

International experiential learning projects have increased in popularity over recent years, and many of these projects focus on environmental topics in the developing world. An experimental course in International Groundwater Studies was developed to bridge the gap between extracurricular service type programs and academically-based study abroad…

We examined the salience of multiple ecological factors (individual, family, peer, school, and community) as differential predictors of smoking for adolescent African-Americans and Whites in a sample of 2,029 7th-12th grade girls from a Mid-Atlantic southeastern state. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that significant predictors of…

In this article, the authors consider the conditions under which participation in organized out-of-school activities contributes to positive development. They center their discussion on what is known about the "processes" in organized activities that affect the development of young persons. By using the term "organized activities", they wish to…