A Naturalistic Inquiry: Student Needs and Educational Attainment on an Impoverished Island in Belize

• In Event: #Uplift: Amplifying Agency and Expanding Educational Advancement in African and Caribbean Communities

Abstract

This study examines students' needs and education on Caye Caulker, an impoverished island in Belize. Historically lacking access to high school education, the establishment of Ocean Academy (OA) in 2008 aimed to address this issue. However, students face challenges such as poverty and unmet basic needs. Drawing from Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs theory, which emphasizes the significance of meeting fundamental needs before addressing higher goals, the research highlights that many OA students struggle with motivation due to limited job prospects and unmet necessities. Addressing these basic needs is crucial to improving educational outcomes. Moreover, the study reveals how project-based learning might still serve as a powerful motivator for students in economically disadvantaged regions.

Authors

• Emily Terrell, Oklahoma State University - Tulsa

• Katherine A. Curry, Oklahoma State University

• Jentre J. Olsen, Oklahoma State University

• Christy Hedges, Oklahoma State University - Tulsa