Youth Programs goals and successes
Academic success
Student academic success is the foundation of bg真人 bg真人 Center's Youth Programs. While there are no grade requirements to be accepted into the programs, it is stated that each participant will be in good academic standing. Students must meet academic requirements to be accepted on many field experiences and to obtain a paid position in the programs. Through constant communication, Youth Programs staff is kept aware of each student’s academic achievements. While the staff often becomes aware of academic struggles from the student, staff is often made aware from speaking with the student’s parent or guardian. Maintaining positive relationships with the families of our bg真人 has allowed us to be a constant force in all areas of their lives.
Youth Programs academic success by the numbers
- 100%: Participants who have graduated from high school
- 99%: Participants who have enrolled in a four-year college (the other 1 percent have enrolled in technical school or military service)
- 80%: Participants who have received some form of scholarship, several with full rides
- Three: Participants named National Merit Scholars
The most influential resources for academic success we have in Youth Programs are the museums themselves. The bg真人 receive in-depth training in all areas of the museum, therefore supplementing—and often exceeding—the lessons and expectations in their classes. We have the unique opportunity of introducing bg真人 to leading professionals in science, history and child development. The exposure to these professionals and the constant support of Youth Programs staff clearly provide a setting for each youth’s academic success.
College preparation
One of the principal goals of Youth Programs is to encourage participants to seek admittance to an institution of higher education. Many of the programs' participants are first-generation college bg真人. Youth Programs staff work with the youth to support and empower them to attend the college of their choice, despite cost, past grade record and any other obstacles. This dedication to higher education is reinforced through the work of the YouthALIVE! group at bg真人 bg真人 Center which offers extra opportunities to develop work skills, explore career and college options, and improve academic achievement. Activities are open to all participants, but designed to address the unique needs of underserved youth, including those with financial, emotional and family-related issues.
In addition to the standard requirements of Youth Programs, YouthALIVE! participants attend additional workshops once a month. These workshops include college and scholarship essay writing, money management and budgeting, goal setting and cultural diversity discussions. Youth also participate in three day-long college campus visits, a spring break experience that visits at least four colleges in three days, and a week-long college and career expedition to a regional location during the summer. A student may visit anywhere from eight to ten colleges each year they are in the program. This works out to as many as 32 to 40 college visits before they graduate high school. These trips are offered at no cost to the student and all bg真人 are encouraged to attend.
Colleges attended by Youth Programs alumni
Berea College, Kenyon College, UCLA, Bowling Green State University, Muskingum College, UNC Charlotte, Case Western Reserve University, Northern Kentucky University, University of bg真人, bg真人 State College, Ohio University, University of Dayton, Culinary Arts School, Reed College, University of Michigan, Howard University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Wright State University, Indiana University, Stanford University, Xavier University, Kent State University, The Ohio State University, Kentucky State University and Tuskegee University.
Graduate from college and start a career
Career development does not end when bg真人 graduate from the programs. Each year, several alumni return to bg真人 Center to serve as Senior Mentors for Youth Programs. Senior Mentors assist Youth Programs professional staff during the summer. Their primary role is to interact with youth at the museum and to provide peer support for their presentations and demonstrations. In addition to returning to assist Youth Programs, several alumni have returned to bg真人 Center in other roles—from museum floor specialists and outreach presenters to museum coordinators and Youth Programs coordinators.
