Investigating How Participation in a Soundscape Science Camp Contributes to Youth Conceptual Understanding and Situated Interest

• In Event: 69.057 - Roundtable Session 32
  In Roundtable Session: 69.057-18 - Informal Learning Environments as Opportunities for Broadening Participation in STEM

Abstract

This study investigated how participation in a 4-day inquiry-based curricula in soundscape ecology contributed to middle-school-aged youths’ conceptual understanding of soundscape ecology and interest in science and technology. The purpose was understanding how primary attributes of the immersive soundscape camp affected participants cognitively and affectively. Descriptive interpretive approaches included data collected from a drawing activity, pre-post questionnaires, interviews, observations, and participant artifacts. The results suggest factors such as direct experience with nature, access to authentic technology, collaborative teamwork, and active engagement influenced youth’s conceptual understanding and interest development. Study findings suggest that scientific field work, combined with opportunities to engage in scientific practices with authentic tools, has the potential for fostering an environment in which youth can learn science.

Authors

• Maryam Ghadiri Khanaposhtani, Indiana University - Purdue University

• ChangChia James Liu, New York Hall of Science

• Bryan C. Pijanowski

• Daniel P. Shepardson, Purdue University