scholarly journals The Socialization of STEM Professionals Into STEM Careers: A Study of Newly Hired Engineers

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell Korte ◽  
Samantha Brunhaver ◽  
Sarah M. Zehr

The Problem Recently there has been a growing interest to increase the number of people entering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. One of the major problems with this “supply-side” model is that it sees STEM workforce development narrowly as one of inputs (recruitment) and ignores the practice of STEM work, which affects the retention of professionals in STEM careers. The Solution Informed by recent research and theory on career development, we studied the work experiences of newly hired engineers in one organization. A key finding is that a major part of their experiences involved organizational work and social dynamics outside of what many considered to be “real” engineering work. We propose that these experiences provide important insights for the education and retention of STEM workers. The Stakeholders Faculty in higher education that prepare STEM workers, managers in organizations that hire new STEM workers, and aspiring STEM workers.




2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (6) ◽  
pp. 1878-1885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youngmoo E. Kim ◽  
Brandon G. Morton ◽  
Jeff Gregorio ◽  
David S. Rosen ◽  
Kareem Edouard ◽  
...  

A potential path for enabling greater creativity and collaboration is through increased arts and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) integration in education and research. This approach has been a growing discussion in US national forums and is the foundation of the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics plus arts and design (STEAM) education movement. Developing authentic artistic integrations with STEM fields (or vice versa) is challenging, particularly in higher education, where traditional disciplinary structures and incentives can impede the creation of integrated programs. Measuring and assessing the outcomes of such integration efforts can be even more challenging, since traditional metrics do not necessarily capture new opportunities created for students and faculty, and the greatest impact may occur over a long period (a career). At Drexel University, we created the Expressive & Creative Interaction Technologies (ExCITe) Center as a standalone institute to pursue and enable such transdisciplinary arts–STEM collaborations, particularly with external arts and education partners. In this perspectives paper, we highlight a range of projects and outcomes resulting from such external collaborations, including graduate research with professional artists, undergraduate student work experiences, and STEAM-based education programs for kindergarten through 12th-grade (K-12) students. While each project has its own specific objectives and outcomes, we believe that they collectively demonstrate this integrated transdisciplinary approach to be impactful and potentially transformative for all levels of learning.



2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 441-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina N. Kovarik ◽  
Davis G. Patterson ◽  
Carolyn Cohen ◽  
Elizabeth A. Sanders ◽  
Karen A. Peterson ◽  
...  

We investigated the effects of our Bio-ITEST teacher professional development model and bioinformatics curricula on cognitive traits (awareness, engagement, self-efficacy, and relevance) in high school teachers and students that are known to accompany a developing interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. The program included best practices in adult education and diverse resources to empower teachers to integrate STEM career information into their classrooms. The introductory unit, Using Bioinformatics: Genetic Testing, uses bioinformatics to teach basic concepts in genetics and molecular biology, and the advanced unit, Using Bioinformatics: Genetic Research, utilizes bioinformatics to study evolution and support student research with DNA barcoding. Pre–post surveys demonstrated significant growth (n = 24) among teachers in their preparation to teach the curricula and infuse career awareness into their classes, and these gains were sustained through the end of the academic year. Introductory unit students (n = 289) showed significant gains in awareness, relevance, and self-efficacy. While these students did not show significant gains in engagement, advanced unit students (n = 41) showed gains in all four cognitive areas. Lessons learned during Bio-ITEST are explored in the context of recommendations for other programs that wish to increase student interest in STEM careers.



2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher P. Scheitle ◽  
Elaine Howard Ecklund

Apparent conflicts between religion and science are often observed in the United States. One consequence of such conflicts might be that religious individuals will be less likely to recommend their children pursue a career in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). We examine this possibility using a nationally representative survey focused on a variety of issues related to religion and science. We find that, compared to religiously unaffiliated individuals, evangelical Protestants, mainline Protestants, Catholics, and Jews are less likely to say that they would recommend a child enter the pure STEM careers of physicist, engineer, or biologist. These differences are weaker or nonexistent for the more applied STEM careers of physician and high school chemistry teacher. The religious tradition effects observed for the pure STEM careers are primarily mediated by lower levels of interest in science and higher levels of creationist views among those groups relative to the religiously unaffiliated.



2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-63
Author(s):  
Nikola Grafnetterova ◽  
Hilda Cecilia Contreras Aguirre ◽  
Rosa M. Banda

Despite the nation's critical need for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) college graduates, the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I student-athletes represent a small portion of STEM majors. Student-athletes pursuing STEM disciplines benefit from the assistance of academic and athletic advisors; this study explored student-athletes' experiences with such dual advising. Building on Terenzini and Reason's (2005) comprehensive model of influences on student learning and persistence, our findings highlighted STEM athletes' need for individualized advising, support engagement in STEM, and options and flexibility in the curriculum. The study also exposed uncertainty about the different roles of academic and athletic advising units and the ways limited communication diminishes the effectiveness of the advising units' collaborative efforts.



2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 1390-1397
Author(s):  
Alimova Madina Iskandar Kizi

The role of Uzbek women has proliferated sharply during last years. Much of the future job growth is projected in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Yet the scarcity of women in STEM careers remains stark. This article describes about what kind of issues face women in Uzbekistan and women scientists in Uzbekistan and importance of encouraging young scientists.



2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nilanjana Dasgupta ◽  
Jane G. Stout

Scientific advances fuel American economic competitiveness, quality of life, and national security. Much of the future job growth is projected in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). However, the supply of domestic students who pursue STEM careers remains small relative to the demand. On the supply side, girls and women represent untapped human capital that, if leveraged, could enhance the STEM workforce, given that they comprise 50% of the American population and more than 50% of the college-bound population. Yet the scarcity of women in STEM careers remains stark. What drives these gender disparities in STEM? And what are the solutions? Research points to different answers depending on the stage of human development. Distinct obstacles occur during three developmental periods: (a) childhood and adolescence, (b) emerging adulthood, and (c) young-to-middle adulthood. This article describes how specific learning environments, peer relations, and family characteristics become obstacles to STEM interest, achievement, and persistence in each period. Evidence-based policies and programs promise to eliminate these obstacles, increasing girls and women’s participation in STEM.



2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (22) ◽  
pp. 9563
Author(s):  
Rocío Rodríguez-Rivero ◽  
Susana Yáñez ◽  
Celia Fernández-Aller ◽  
Ruth Carrasco-Gallego

The COVID-19 crisis has taken the world by surprise, and its effects are widening pre-existing inequalities such as socioeconomical, educational, and digital divides. The gender gap is no exception, and research shows that lockdowns are strongly impacting women, who, on the whole, are more vulnerable to the effects of a crisis. This study analyzes the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown in Spain on families, from a gender perspective. To this end, 663 participants related to the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields were recruited to participate in the research through their connection with the Equality Office of the major technical university of Spain, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, which offers most engineering and architecture degrees. The results indicate that the great myths of gender inequality are still alive in Spain, and that a crisis of this nature can perpetuate them. However, the crisis also presents an opportunity for change. Will the STEM careers be prepared to take advantage of this opportunity, or will this crisis end up perpetuating their markedly masculine character? Are we ready for a revolution? The COVID-19 crisis and its learnings about the importance of care can open the path to change.





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