Affective Outcomes of a Summer Talent Development Program: What Do Students Say?

This study explored the affective outcomes students perceived from participating in a summer program and the program components that contributed to participants’ perceived affective development. Participants were 55 middle school students (29 girls) with intellectual gifts who participated in a 4-day-long residential program conducted in a western state in India. Participants wrote descriptive reflections responding to a 16-item open-ended survey. Matrix coding was used to code affective outcomes and the associated program components. Thematic analyses of responses revealed five themes that depicted improvement in participants’ (a) confidence and courage, (b) self-awareness, (c) social awareness, (d) social skills, and (e) inspiration. Leadership workshops and group activities, rural experience, and camp structure were discussed most frequently in relation to specific affective outcomes. Findings indicated that a direct and well-planned affective intervention can provide opportunities for social and emotional learning. Implications for holistic talent development programming have been discussed.