A Qualitative Study of the Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont's Citizen Science Youth Internship Program

Abstract

The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont (GSMIT) has supported citizen science summer research internships since 2001 through the Summer Youth Science Leadership (SYSL) program in cooperation with area industries, selected universities, and the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory. The goal of the program is to provide communities with new leaders in environmental fields and/or scientifically literate citizens. To determine the impact of SYSL program objectives, a qualitative narrative and constant comparison interview research design was selected. Results supported that participants had extensive knowledge of environmental stewardship, natural history, and science process skills. Interns reported a variety of interests in biology field reseach and teaching. Interns also reported more confidence in biological field research.