Exploring youth socio-spatial perceptions of higher education landscapes through sketch maps

Abstract

Previous research on broadening participation in higher education and Science Technology Engineering and Math has inadequately examined the role of place. This article explores the socio-spatial perceptions of youth of a college campus and changes in perceptions youth experience during their transition from being a university neighbor to becoming part of a university community. This study uses sketch maps and qualitative Geographic Information Systems to document the changing perceptions of 43 youth aged 14–18 during their participation in a university program. The results suggest that some students started to identify with campus spaces as a university student or employee rather than as a neighbor of the university.

Keywords::

• sketch mapping
• qualitative GIS
• science of broadening participation
• Science Technology Engineering and Math

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Research for this paper was supported, in part, by the National Science Foundation (NSF) through a grant [Award 1061028] to the Association of American Geographers (AAG). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSF or the AAG.