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EXPLORING ADVENTURE COUNSELORS' PERSPECTIVES ON AN OUTDOOR STEAM ACADEMY FOR MINORITIZED STUDENTS IN A RURAL MIDDLE SCHOOL

SARAH STRAUB, TONYA JEFFERY, & PATRICK MILLER

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PUBLISHED IN:

 Volume 2, Issue 4, December  2025

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70144/ss020403me

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ABSTRACT:

This qualitative case study explores the impact of the Outdoor STEAM Academy on pre-service and in-service teachers who served as Adventure Counselors for a program serving minoritized middle school students in a rural district. Grounded in experiential learning and multicultural education frameworks, the research focuses on the counselors' perspectives regarding their professional growth and instructional practices. Data collected from semi-structured interviews with five counselors revealed three emergent themes: the necessity for adaptability and flexibility in teaching, the subject transformation and integration of science content, and the value of engaging with nature and environment in education. The findings underscore how intentional, outdoor-based programming can serve as a powerful catalyst for professional development, enhancing teacher self-efficacy in science instruction and promoting culturally responsive and hands-on teaching strategies that align with equitable educational practices.