Content area
Abstract
The purpose of this project was to conduct a needs assessment of the Reaching New Heights (RNH) afterschool program in the Meadows Elementary School District (MESD). At the request of the RNH program director three program areas were identified as targets for data collection and analysis, in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) program. Due to advances in technology and the nuances of 21st century learning and curriculums, which include project based learning, the RNH program director wanted to know the status of the staff in order to enhance or maintain program effectiveness through professional development training. The methods used to collect data included a survey, observations, focus groups, and individual interviews. The data were analyzed and recommendations from the literature and findings within the project were made available to the RNH program director. The three primary areas addressed in the recommendations included the STEM capacity of the program leaders/instructors, the effectiveness of professional development, and curriculum adequacy. Additionally, for the sake of protecting the anonymity of the participants, pseudonyms were used to refer to the school district, school sites, and programs.
