Peer-reviewed research2017–2026 update
Meaningful Experiences for Adolescents: Investigating the Impact of Immersion Semester High Schools
Young people rated activities at immersion semester high schools as more meaningful than activities at home, and activities were more meaningful when they were engaging and emotionally positive.
What's new
Over three weeks, at an immersion semester high school and at home, young people reported their most meaningful morning and afternoon/evening activities. For each one they rated meaningfulness, emotion, emotional valence, psychological engagement and behavioural participation. The study collected 18,804 observations from 638 participants and analysed them with mixed effects models. Activities were significantly more meaningful at the immersion schools. Meaningfulness was also higher with greater participation and engagement, more emotion and more positive emotion, though the effects of engagement and participation varied with emotional valence.
Why it matters in Aotearoa
Extended residential and immersive programmes are part of EOTC in Aotearoa. In this study, activities in immersive settings were rated as more meaningful than activities at home. The authors suggest exploring whether the structural features of these programmes can be applied in other settings.
Putting it into practice
When designing a camp or extended programme, include activities that ask for active participation and emotional investment, and gather student feedback on which moments felt most meaningful.
How strong is the evidence
This is a large repeated-measures study with many observations comparing the programme with home. The outcomes are self-reported, and the abstract does not say which features of the schools produced the effect.
What to read
The findings on engagement, participation and emotional valence, including the interaction results.