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 |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Haley R. Ault (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Career Development. 2026 53(4):474-493. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 20 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | National Institutes of Health (NIH) (DHHS) |
| Contract Number: | R25GM129177 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | High Schools Secondary Education Postsecondary Education Higher Education |
| Descriptors: | Student Experience, High School Students, STEM Education, Summer Programs, Camps, Student Attitudes, Postsecondary Education, Experiential Learning, Mentors, Career Exploration, College Attendance, Self Efficacy, Self Concept, Vocational Interests, Program Effectiveness |
| Geographic Terms: | Tennessee |
| DOI: | 10.1177/08948453261453002 |
| ISSN: | 0894-8453 1556-0856 |
| 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. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1508593 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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| 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. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0894-8453 1556-0856 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/08948453261453002 |
