Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
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Item The mental wellness conversation curriculum: better understanding the gap between facilitator training and community conversations(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Education, Health & Human Development, 2024) Sutphen, Katharine Nora; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Michelle U. Grocke-DeweyThis thesis whether the MSU Extension Mental Wellness Conversation Curriculum (MWCC) is effective in terms of adequately preparing newly trained facilitators to lead their own community based MWCC conversations. The MWCC is a mental health and wellness conversation pedagogy designed to be delivered in rural communities by community volunteer facilitators. The Social Ecological Model (SEM) explains the nuance of this program and incorporates supporting studies that leverage community-based and volunteer-led techniques. The results from the volunteer training evaluation data, a pre-and post- survey, indicate a positive change in awareness, knowledge, and beliefs among the 24 facilitators regarding specific mental health and wellness content presented in the training. The results indicate high favorability from volunteers regarding their experience at the MWCC training and optimism about the future of MWCC as a mental health and wellness program. However, despite favorable and statistically significant improvements from pre and post training data, there has been stagnation among community volunteers leading their own MWCC conversations. In response to this finding, a follow up exploration into possible explanations was conducted. Results indicated the importance of volunteer training as a predictor of volunteer engagement success. Additionally, the following themes were explored to understand the impact they had on MWCC volunteer engagement: 1) the duality of agency and autonomy in volunteering, 2) the explanatory power of the Self-determination Theory as it relates to volunteer motivation, 3) the importance of volunteer recruitment strategies and clear objectives, 4) the value of skills-based volunteering, and 5) the importance of content delivery within a training to maximize future engagement. Minor adaptations to the MWCC training and evaluation efforts would be beneficial for improved volunteer engagement going forward. Future research suggestions include further exploring how social context and environmental factors may impact the success of community based MWCC conversations.Item Improving recruitment and training for 4-H STEM youth robotics program volunteers(Montana State University - Bozeman, Graduate School, 2013) Watson Pottebaum, Cindy; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Peggy Taylor.In this study, 4-H Volunteer Robotics Training workshops were evaluated for effectiveness. Using surveys, interviews and communication logs, this study examined the usefulness of the Robotics Volunteer Training workshops using LEGO Mindstorms kits and software. The findings from this study showed that a positive, supportive environment can help volunteers overcome past fears and negative feelings toward science and technology and to become successful leaders of youth robotics activities. The research also revealed that takes ongoing support and communication from 4-H staff after the training workshop, in order for the robotics volunteers to gain enough knowledge to lead a youth robotics activity. How can we create a positive robotics training experience for 4-H volunteers? Will an experiential learning experience help volunteers to gain confidence, competence and expertise that they need to be leaders for youth robotics activities? Will these trained volunteers be motivated to carry out a youth robotics activity beyond the training?