Master of Science in Human Development and Social Policy

thesisThere is mounting evidence for the effectiveness of youth gardening programs in increasing fruit and vegetable consumption among children who consistently attend such programs. Unfortunately, existing research does not address whether youth gardens can influence the emotional wellbeing of program participants. Changes in emotional wellbeing may be an important outcome for youth with infrequent garden attendance. This is a significant gap in research that presented an opportunity for this study. Wasatch Community Gardens (WCG), located in Salt Lake City, Utah, has developed partnerships with community agencies (e.g., Boys & Girls Club) to provide their City Roots youth gardening programs. In weekly 1-hour classes, youth learn how to harvest and prepare fresh fruits and vegetables grown in WCG gardens. Although classes are offered on a weekly basis, participants from each agency differ week-to-week. This project assessed whether the City Roots youth gardening program impacts the short-term emotional wellbeing of youth ages 8-18 years old. This study had a total of 65 participants in summer and fall of 2015. Outcomes were measured through surveys given at the beginning of youth gardening classes, surveys given at the end of classes, and through a photo art project. Using components of existing food consumption surveys, a self-regulation tool, and other measures adapted specifically for evaluating youth gardening programs, we expected to see improvements in emotional wellbeing with some variation also attributable to sociodemographic variables. Results from our data show generally positive emotional states for youth gardening participants at the beginning of classes and at the end, with significant change shown on some emotional wellbeing measures between pre- and posttesting varying by sociodemographic characteristics. Unlike previously conducted gardening research, this study assessed participants up to the age of 18, participants with infrequent garden attendance, had an explicit focus on the emotional state of children, and included a separate qualitative collection focusing on influences of childrens vegetable preferences. This study is unique in comparison to published works, which gives it an important role in informing the format and curriculum used in community youth gardening programs as well as future youth gardening evaluation research

IMPACT: The Journal of the Center for Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning. Volume 2, Issue 2, Summer 2013

Impact: The Journal of the Center for Interdisciplinary Teaching & Learning is a peer-reviewed, biannual online journal that publishes scholarly and creative non-fiction essays about the theory, practice and assessment of interdisciplinary education. Impact is produced by the Center for Interdisciplinary Teaching & Learning at the College of General Studies, Boston University (www.bu.edu/cgs/citl)

Painting the ideal home: using art to express visions of technologically supported independent living for older people in North East England

This paper describes the investigation of the development of future technological products to support older people in everyday living through the agency of a community art group. Recent research has identified a number of challenges facing designers seeking to use traditional participatory design approaches to gather technology requirements data from older people. Here, a project is described that sought to get a group of older people to think creatively about their needs and desires for technological support through the medium of paint. The artistic expression technique described in this article allowed the identification of issues that had also been found by previous research that used a range of different techniques. This indicates that the approach shows promise, as it allows information to be gathered in an environment that is comfortable and familiar using methods already known by the participants and which they find enjoyable. It provides a complement (or possible alternative) to standard protocols and has the potential benefit of extracting even richer information as the primary task for participants is enjoyable in its own right and is not associated with an interrogative process. Furthermore, it is argued that some of the key risks of traditional approaches are lessened or removed by the naturalistic setting of this approach

Culture and activity in aging

The cumulative effects of illness and disability in older age can lead to individuals being less able to make positive decisions about involvement in activities for pleasure and socialization. This lowered self-efficacy can in turn lead to erosion of confidence and ultimately to social exclusion. Older tenants in sheltered housing schemes are at particular risk of isolation and exclusion as the move to age-specific housing is usually triggered by a sudden or gradual decline in ability and/or personal circumstances. In conjunction with this, assumptions that social networks naturally occur in communal retirement communities and that people will individually or collectively arrange activities can lead to peoples' aspirations for meaningful activities in later life being overlooked. This problem is further compounded as housing staff find their time is taken up building maintenance and ensuring that tenants receive basic housing and environmental services. This chapter reports on the findings from a needs analysis that aimed to identify the activities that older tenants in a sheltered housing scheme had enjoyed during their lifetime, were no longer able to do but wanted to resume, and any new interests they were interested in pursuing. This is followed by a description of a one-year activity and culture program developed out of this needs analysis, underpinned by previous work conducted in Sweden

Afterschool in Action: Innovative Afterschool Programs Supporting Middle School Youth

This report, released by Afterschool Alliance in partnership with MetLife Foundation, highlights the work of quality afterschool programs that support children, families and communities across the nation.This compendium is a compilation of four issue briefs examining critical issues facing middle school youth and the vital role afterschool programs play in addressing these issues. This series explores afterschool and: arts enrichment, parent engagement, school improvement and digital learning. The compendium also includes in-depth profiles of the 2012 Afterschool Innovator Award winners, as well as highlights from 2008-2011 award winners.The 2012 MetLife Foundation Afterschool Award winners are:The Wooden Floor, Santa Ana, CALatino Arts Strings & Mariachi Juvenil, Milwaukee, WIKid Power Inc., The VeggieTime Project, Washington, D.C.Parma Learning Center, Parma, IDGreen Energy Technologies in the City, Lansing, M

Examining the Effects of Exposure to Nature on Well-Being: Implications for College Campuses

Humans attraction to the natural environment stems from our evolutionary tendencies. Biophilia is defined by E.O. Wilson as the “innate tendency to focus on life and lifelike processes (Wilson, 1984, p. 1).” Recent studies have shown that spending time outside in nature is beneficial to physical and mental health as well as well-being. Nature is filled with intriguing things such as animals, plants, fresh air and other aspects which can help an individual replenish. Some of these benefits include stress reduction, opportunities and motivation to complete tasks. Research indicates that adults who work in offices would perform better if they had views of natural landscape painting or even a window which faced nature. This paper will provide a review of research on how nature affects human well-being and mental health. The findings in this paper can be beneficial to college students and those assisting them in a number of ways. Based on the available research literature, this paper concludes with a set of recommendations of how attention to the influence of nature can enhance the quality of campus life and the literature. As mostly young individuals transitioning into the adult world, it would help influence their well-being in a positive way that will promote creativity and motivation

Evaluation of green synergy community garden projects 2012 - 2013

A review of the holistic vaue and role of community garden projects within Lincoln's Abbey Ward