CircEsteem is a leading provider of circus arts training for youth in the Chicago area. Students learn valuable life skills such as cooperation, communication, and commitment — in safe and inclusive environments that promote a deep sense of belonging.
A multidisciplinary research team led by Jennifer Agans, associate professor in the Penn State Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism, is exploring ways in which the CircEsteem program might be helping youth to learn positive risk taking and healthy risk management skills. For this project, they will interview CircEsteem leaders, staff, and students to gain a deeper understanding of the program’s benefits. They will also analyze data from previous evaluations of the CircEsteem program to gain additional insights.
The team will then apply what they learn to design a larger study assessing the mechanisms through which the youth circus program may contribute to positive risk taking and healthy risk management skills. Understanding “what works” for youth while they are participating in the program — and why — can aid those who wish to develop and support positive youth development through the circus arts.
Watch this TEDx Talk by Dan Roberts, executive director of CircEsteem, to learn how circus can transform lives and communities.
Duration: 1.5 years
Partners: CircEsteem
Project Funder(s)
Project Focus Area(s)
Developmental Period(s)
Level(s) of Analysis
CircEsteem is a leading provider of circus arts training for youth in the Chicago area. Students learn valuable life skills such as cooperation, communication, and commitment — in safe and inclusive environments that promote a deep sense of belonging.
A multidisciplinary research team led by Jennifer Agans, associate professor in the Penn State Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism, is exploring ways in which the CircEsteem program might be helping youth to learn positive risk taking and healthy risk management skills. For this project, they will interview CircEsteem leaders, staff, and students to gain a deeper understanding of the program’s benefits. They will also analyze data from previous evaluations of the CircEsteem program to gain additional insights.
The team will then apply what they learn to design a larger study assessing the mechanisms through which the youth circus program may contribute to positive risk taking and healthy risk management skills. Understanding “what works” for youth while they are participating in the program — and why — can aid those who wish to develop and support positive youth development through the circus arts.
Watch this TEDx Talk by Dan Roberts, executive director of CircEsteem, to learn how circus can transform lives and communities.
Project Funder(s)
Project Focus Area(s)
Developmental Period(s)
Level(s) of Analysis
Partners
CircEsteem
Duration
1.5 years
