Special Programs & Events

Youth Program Goals & Successes

Academic Success

Student academic success is the foundation of Cincinnati Museum Center's Youth Program. While there are no grade requirements to be accepted into the program, it is stated that each participant will be in good academic standing. Students must meet academic requirements to be accepted on many field experiences and to obtain a paid position in the program. Through constant communication, Youth Program staff is kept aware of each student’s academic achievements. While the staff often becomes aware of academic struggles from the student, staff is often made aware from speaking with the student’s parent or guardian. Maintaining positive relationships with the families of our students has allowed us to be a constant force in all areas of their lives.

When made aware of areas of struggle, Youth Programs staff will either encourage the student to attend a weekly study table or match the student with a Museum Center employee who can assist them. Several youths’ grades have improved throughout their time in the program. For example, one particular student was having a difficult time in her Spanish class. We introduced this student to an employee who spoke fluent Spanish, they formed a bond and now the student is excelling in her class.

The most influential resources for academic success we have in the Youth Program are the museums themselves. The students receive in-depth training in all areas of the museum, therefore supplementing—and often exceeding—the lessons and expectations in their classes. We have the unique opportunity of introducing students to leading professionals in science, history and child development. The exposure to these professionals and the constant support of the Youth Program staff clearly provide a setting for each youth’s academic success.

College Preparation

One of the principal goals of the Youth Program is to encourage participants to seek admittance to an institution of higher education. Many of the program’s participants are first-generation college students. Youth Program staff work with the youth to support and empower them to attend the college of their choice, despite cost, past grade record and any other obstacles. This dedication to higher education is reinforced through the work of the YouthALIVE! group at Cincinnati Museum Center which offers extra opportunities to develop work skills, explore career and college options, and improve academic achievement. Activities are open to all participants, but designed to address the unique needs of underserved youth, including those with financial, emotional and family-related issues.

The YouthALIVE! group provides college and career exploration activities, along with work-based experiences, preparing teens for future employment.

In addition to the standard requirements of the Youth Program, YouthALIVE! participants attend additional workshops once a month. These workshops include college and scholarship essay writing, money management and budgeting, goal setting and cultural diversity discussions. Youth also participate in three day-long college campus visits, a spring break experience that visits at least four colleges in three days, and a week-long college and career expedition to a regional location during the summer. A student may visit anywhere from eight to 10 colleges each year they are in the program. This works out to as many as 32 to 40 college visits before they graduate high school. These trips are offered at no cost to the student and all students are encouraged to attend.

Graduate from college and start a career

The Youth Program provides each participant with the opportunity to explore career options through volunteerism and mentoring with museum staff. When asked why they originally joined the Youth Program, students often site a career interest in one of the disciplines addressed within the museum. The Youth Program offers them the opportunity to gain experience in that discipline to see if it is something they want to pursue in college. For example, several students who chose to volunteer in the Duke Energy Children’s Museum did so because they have aspirations of becoming teachers or daycare providers. In the Museum of Natural History & Science, several of youth are actively engaging their dreams of becoming doctors and paleontologists.

To further prepare students for their futures, students that reach 250 volunteer hours through the program are eligible to apply for a paid position at Museum Center. These youth undergo an interviewing and hiring process reflective of the real world. Youth are responsible for acquiring an application, providing a resume and interviewing for the paid position. If the position is offered, youth must maintain a 90 percent attendance rate for scheduled shifts and attend 75 percent of monthly training meetings. 

Career development does not end when students graduate the program. Each year, several alumni return to Museum Center to serve as Senior Mentors for the Youth Program. Senior Mentors assist Youth Program professional staff during the summer. Their primary role is to interact with youth at the museum and to provide peer support for their presentations and demonstrations. In addition to returning to assist the Youth Program, several alumni have returned to Museum Center in other roles—from museum floor specialists and outreach presenters to museum coordinators and Youth Program coordinators.