Summative Evaluation - Making Natural Connections: An Authentic Field Research Collaboration

This project has developed a highly successful model for integration of pre-college youth career exploration into authentic environmental research and restoration activities at Washington University’s field station, Tyson Research Center, and the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Shaw Nature Reserve. The Shaw Institute for Field Training (SIFT) and Tyson Environmental Research Fellowships (TERF) programs provide access to field research for St. Louis, Missouri area high school youth interested in careers related to environmental biology. SIFT is an introductory field skills training program that engages participants in scientific exploration of the natural world and includes opportunities to assist with field work. TERF is a more advanced field research internship program that provides SIFT graduates with an immersive and extended work experience on current research projects at Washington University, as well as training in scientific communication via research posters and presentations. In both cases, youth have the opportunity to directly assist scientists with their ecological research. To assess the impact of this two-stage model on youth participants, we developed a longitudinal mixed-methods study to assess interest, confidence, and personal context during progression through the programs. The sources of data included two types of participant surveys, observations, and structured and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative analysis of data derived from a repeated measures environmental science career interest survey and repeated program climate surveys were contextualized by the qualitative analyses of survey responses, interviews, social media communications, and observations. Our study indicates the SIFT and TERF programs have influenced youth participants’ entry into the science career pathway, providing for earlier recognition of affinity for a scientific research or field research related career. The youth have made gains in knowledge and skills, and developed important relationships with role models in scientific research careers. Early access to a university-based research environment and actual participation in research influence youth to pursue additional research experiences as they proceed on to college. If our pre-college youth program model of authentic career exploration activities followed by immersive apprenticeship is transferred to other STEM disciplines, there is possibility of greater numbers of young people entering STEM career paths.

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