A Qualitative Study of the Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont’s Citizen Science Youth Internship Program
Tenenbaum ZA. 2013. A Qualitative Study of the Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont’s Citizen Science Youth Internship Program. Middle Tennessee State University
ABSTRACT: The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont (GSMIT) has supported citizen science summer research internships since 2001 through the Summer Youth Science Leadership (SYSL) program in cooperation with area industries, selected universities, and the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory. The goal of the program is to provide communities with new leaders in environmental fields and/or responsible, scientifically literate citizens. To determine the impact of SYSL program objectives, a qualitative narrative and constant comparison interview technique was selected. Results supported that most participants gained new knowledge of environmental stewardship, natural history, and science process skills. Some interns reported new interests in biology field research and teaching. Many interns also started environmental programs at their schools after the internship.
- Type
- Academic
- Authors
- Tenenbaum, Zena
- Date of Issue
- 2013-08
- Publisher
- Middle Tennessee State University
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- APHN, Appalachian Highlands Network, Citizen Science, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, GRSM, SER, social science, Southeast Region, stewardship, thesis, Tremont, visitors, youth programs