| Title: |
Impacts of a STEM-Focused Summer Camp on Postsecondary Aspirations for Rural Appalachian High School Students |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Haley R. Ault (ORCID 0000-0002-2400-5936); Katherine D. Cook; Melinda M. Gibbons (ORCID 0000-0002-7080-0690); Erin E. Hardin (ORCID 0000-0003-4058-1068); Brittney Carneal |
| 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 |