ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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The Harvard Family Research Project has posted an update on key findings
about participation in out of school activitities. Here's one highlight that
may be of particular interest to museums: 

"Overall parental investments in positive youth development positively
predict children's outcomes while controlling for family income, parent
education, and outcomes measured 5 years earlier. Parents who make more
investments, including encouragement of and involvement in OST activities,
are more likely to have children who participate in OST activities, value
academics, believe they are skilled in academics, and engage in less problem
behavior. Parental investments included parent educational involvement,
monitoring, creating a cognitively stimulating environment, and providing
emotional support. Results emanate from analyses of PSID-CDS and NELS data
(Simpkins, 2005; Simpkins, Bouffard & Kreider, 2005)." 

You can find out more on their website and by subscribing to emailed
updates: 
http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/projects/ost_findings.html

___________________________
Wendy Pollock
Director, Research, Publications, and Exhibitions
Association of Science-Technology Centers
1025 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005-6310  USA
202/783-7200 x114    Fax 202/783-7207 
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