Learning environments at the margin: Case studies of disenfranchised youth doing science in an aquarium and an after-school program

In this article, we explore how two informal educational contexts—an aquarium and an after-school science program—enabled disenfranchised learners to adopt an identity as insiders to the world of science. We tell the stories of four youth, relating what doing science meant to them and how they positioned themselves in relation to science. We contribute to the extensive literature on the value of learning beyond the school walls, yet focus on ethnically and linguistically diverse youth from low-income backgrounds who have often been excluded from such settings. We suggest that such out-of-school settings are particularly important to youth who have few other opportunities to interact with and relate to science in positive ways.     

All better than being disengaged: Student engagement patterns and their relations to academic self-concept and achievement

European Journal of Psychology of Education - Student participation and cognitive and emotional engagement in learning activities play a key role in student academic achievement and are driven by...     

Assessing Secondary School Students’ Justifications for Supporting or Rejecting a Scientific Hypothesis in the Physics Lab

Research in Science Education - Justifications play a central role in argumentation, which is a core topic in school science education. This paper contributes to this field of research by...     

Mentoring the Next Generation of Higher Education Professionals

ABSTRACT

The loss of significant faculty members comes at a time when public and community expectations for institutions of higher learning have expanded. Public skepticism and the demands for accountability have resulted in greater attention being given to learning outcomes, subject matter, knowledge, proficiency, and capability. This article adds to our understanding of how graduate school operates as a socialization process for individuals who seek an academic career in higher education. Moreover, this article will focus specifically on the challenge of preparing and socializing doctoral students of color to the academy. New expectations require that substantive changes take place in the socialization process of graduate doctoral students in kinesiology if new faculty are to experience an academic environment that is rewarding.     

Stress and the American black woman: Analysis of research

This study obtained information on causes of stress and its relationship to the performance of the American working woman in the classroom and on the job. In order to implement the study, a questionnaire which included categories of personal information, job-related information, educational information and symptoms of stress information was used. Interviews were conducted with available subjects in order to secure additional information.The study was concerned with 281 American females enrolled and/or employed in institutions of higher education in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Wisconsin and New Jersey. A total of fourteen educational institutions from these seven states was represented in the study.Data secured from questionnaire and interview results were used to compare subjects on the basis of demographics, attitudinal, adjustment, educational and other factors which contributed significantly to performance and style of the American black working woman; to present information on how to alleviate some of the stress factors that cause poor performance; and to help the American working woman to recognize stress in order to learn how to manage it without having to deal with possible consequences of poor health and additional financial obligations.Of the fifty-two variables compared, significant differences were found in eleven variables in fifty-nine instances when cross-tabulated. A probability of 05 was considered a significant difference and was the criterion for support or non-support of the specific hypothesis.     

A meta-analysis on the relationship between school characteristics and student outcomes in science and maths – evidence from large-scale studies

ABSTRACT

In the present meta-analysis, we examine how secondary school characteristics – such as schools’ academic press, school climate, material resources, personnel resources, classroom climate, instructional practices, out-of-school activities, and socioeconomic status (SES) composition – provide opportunities for students to engage in science and maths, and how these matter with regard to students’ cognitive and motivational-affective outcomes. The meta-analysis includes 71 (international) articles from large-scale studies with a total of 3,960,281 students, 260,390 schools, and 285 effect sizes that were transformed to correlation coefficients. Multilevel meta-analyses were performed. Results identified a number of school variables that can be regarded as relevant for making a difference in student outcomes and at the same time be influenced by education. These refer to school variables such schools’ academic press, classroom climate, instructional practices, and out-of-school activities. Moreover, SES composition was significantly related to student outcomes. Material and personnel resources as well as school climate yielded a close to zero effect. No differences were found between cognitive and motivational-affective outcome variables or between science and maths. The results point to the most promising school characteristics for promoting students’ outcomes and emphasise schools’ potential for students’ engagement in science and maths.     

Integrating Northern Ireland: Cross‐group friendships in integrated and mixed schools

While Northern Ireland strives to build a shared society, the current reality is that everyday experiences are still shaped by division along ethno‐religious lines. This is particularly pronounced in the education system, where more than 92% of pupils attend separate schools. Within the predominantly separate education system, however, exists a small collection of schools which cater to a more heterogeneous pupil body and offer the opportunity for young people from both communities to meet and interact, and potentially develop cross‐group friendships. The present study compares the network‐based cross‐group friendships within two such school types; an integrated and a separate post‐primary school. These schools boast a distinct ethos yet they similarly enrol students from Catholic and Protestant backgrounds. Findings reveal that both schools show a high level of interconnection between pupils; however, the integrated school, with an ethos that openly supports social cohesion, shows a greater tendency towards cross‐group interactions and best friendships than those found within the separate school. In line with contact theory, these findings suggest that it may not be enough to simply create opportunities for intergroup contact but that optimal conditions, such as institutional support, may be a prerequisite for positive relationships to flourish. Implications for educational policies designed to promote greater cross‐community contact are discussed.