Impacts of a STEM-Focused Summer Camp on Postsecondary Aspirations for Rural Appalachian High School Students.

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Title: Impacts of a STEM-Focused Summer Camp on Postsecondary Aspirations for Rural Appalachian High School Students.
Authors: Ault, Haley R.1 (AUTHOR) hault@gsu.edu, Cook, Katherine D.2 (AUTHOR), Gibbons, Melinda M.3 (AUTHOR), Hardin, Erin E.4 (AUTHOR), Carneal, Brittney3 (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Career Development. Aug2026, Vol. 53 Issue 4, p474-493. 20p.
Abstract: Out-of-school experiences are important opportunities for career and educational development, especially for underserved students. This study explored the experiences of rural Appalachian high school students who attended a STEM-based summer camp and the impacts on their college and STEM attitudes and beliefs. Grounded in Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT; Lent et al., 1994), the camp provided hands-on learning experiences, mentorship, and career exploration opportunities with the goal of increasing students' college-going self-efficacy, science identity, and STEM career interest. Findings indicate that students who attended the summer program experienced an immediate increase in self-efficacy and science identity following the summer camp, as well as a positive increase in STEM career interest over time compared to a matched sample of non-participants. These results highlight the potential of out-of-school STEM programming to support college and career development and extend the longer-term impact of STEM interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Career Development is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: Impacts of a STEM-Focused Summer Camp on Postsecondary Aspirations for Rural Appalachian High School Students.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Career+Development%22">Journal of Career Development</searchLink>. Aug2026, Vol. 53 Issue 4, p474-493. 20p.
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Out-of-school experiences are important opportunities for career and educational development, especially for underserved students. This study explored the experiences of rural Appalachian high school students who attended a STEM-based summer camp and the impacts on their college and STEM attitudes and beliefs. Grounded in Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT; Lent et al., 1994), the camp provided hands-on learning experiences, mentorship, and career exploration opportunities with the goal of increasing students' college-going self-efficacy, science identity, and STEM career interest. Findings indicate that students who attended the summer program experienced an immediate increase in self-efficacy and science identity following the summer camp, as well as a positive increase in STEM career interest over time compared to a matched sample of non-participants. These results highlight the potential of out-of-school STEM programming to support college and career development and extend the longer-term impact of STEM interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Career Development is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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