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This mixed-methods study examined the role of belonging and flourishing in the college experiences of undergraduate students from communities historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors. Qualitative findings show that students engaged in strategies to find and develop peer relationships to facilitate their sense of belonging in their STEM major/discipline. Findings from a larger quantitative dataset of undergraduate students reveal an important relationship between sense of belonging in an academic domain and flourishing. Data underscores the critical role of belonging, including feelings of acceptance and membership (e.g. feeling inside the community of one's STEM major), and the potential that students who feel they belong in their majors are more likely to also report thriving in their discipline. 

Increasing diversity in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and STEM-related degrees and professions is a national priority. Research on students’ pathways in STEM may contribute to our understanding of how to change institutions to achieve diversity; however, until recently, the dominant narrative invoked a “pipeline” metaphor. In this work, we challenge the pipeline metaphor by interrogating what is meant by a “STEM” pathway, measuring constructs not typically measured in STEM pipeline research, endeavoring to make our measures intersectional, and imagining alternative outcomes in addition to “staying in STEM.” We have been following students who completed an out-of-school mentored science research program since 2017. Three hundred fifty-eight participants responded to an alumni survey designed to collect data about their location along their pathway, constructs related to the pursuit of a pathway, and demographic information. Here, we describe the characteristics of this sample and initial findings about the new constructs we measured. By measuring constructs not typically measured in pathways research and designing items and scales using an intersectional approach, we challenge the problematic pipeline metaphor that dominates the STEM persistence literature. 

We focus on the use of flourishing as a new measure in studies of pathways in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematical) fields. While the concept of flourishing is promising, the concept may need careful interrogation to ensure it takes structural and personal (cultural, religious, socioeconomic, and racial) differences into account. Our longitudinal study explores emerging adult’s educational and career pathways with careful attention to structural inequities, enabling us to productively explore the concept of flourishing in a larger systemic context. Drawing from a set of qualitative interviews with our participants, we explore the ways that our sample of emerging adults (N= 30), predominantly people of color, define and discuss flourishing. The concept resonated with our diverse participants, and a substantial number did report flourishing. But despite the regularity with which the participants described experiencing racism and microaggressions, they did not often mention those harmful experiences when discussing flourishing. We caution that flourishing data on its own may provide an overly rosy image of the pathways and development, especially of young people of color. Our data suggest that it may be especially important to examine flourishing in context with other measures that can flesh out a fuller picture of well-being, especially in relation to race, racism, sexism, or any other experiences related to personal identities. In particular, instruments should be carefully designed to ensure–especially for emerging adults–that all aspects of their lives and identities can be fully understood. 

This article provides a cross-case study of three studies that utilized anti-adultist approaches to collaborating with youth as co-researchers. Drawing on reflections from both adults and youth, we present an analysis of three case studies of adult and youth experiences in planning, implementing, and conducting research studies aimed at centering youth perspectives. Findings include what adults and youth learned about the co-researching process and highlight the need for careful consideration of how both adults and youth can disrupt adultist power dynamics. We argue that amplifying youth co-researcher perspectives in research can create a mutually meaningful and empowering research process for both adults and youth by promoting more equitable relationships and participatory practices. 

Abstract We have been learning about the learning of children and youth, teachers, and visitors over the course of 7 years as we developed and deepened a research agenda in education in our natural history museum. In 2016 in this journal, we detailed how we began this effort and the development and initial steps of an educational research agenda. Focusing on our work since then, our team of educational researchers describes how our research has revealed the considerable impact of out‐of‐school learning with youth, educators, and visitors and how we incorporate a focus upon equity across all areas of inquiry. We share main findings emerging from our research, early roadblocks and current challenges, and lessons about engaging in research on learning in a cultural institution with implications for both large and small settings.