scholarly journals STEM stereotypes predict students’ STEM career interest via self-efficacy and outcome expectations

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tian Luo ◽  
Winnie Wing Mui So ◽  
Zhi Hong Wan ◽  
Wai Chin Li
Keyword(s):  
Stem Education ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Outcome Expectations ◽  
Sixth Grade ◽  
Stem Careers ◽  
Career Interest ◽  
Stem Career ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Stem Career Interest

Abstract Background Nurturing students’ interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers is a major goal of STEM education. Although the relationship between students’ stereotypical beliefs regarding STEM careers and their career interest can be reasonably hypothesized, research investigating the extent to which and how students’ STEM career interest is directly or indirectly influenced by their stereotypical beliefs is lacking. This study investigated how upper primary students’ stereotypical beliefs regarding STEM careers predicted their STEM self-efficacy and STEM career-related outcome expectations and how these constructs predicted their STEM career interest. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse quantitative survey data of 824 fourth- to sixth-grade students and test the hypothesized models. Results Students’ stereotypical beliefs regarding STEM careers negatively predicted their self-efficacy in STEM activities and career-related outcome expectations. Additionally, the students’ self-efficacy in STEM activities and career-related outcome expectations in turn predicted their STEM career interest. Conclusions These results explain the potential indirect effect of STEM stereotypes on students’ career interest through self-efficacy and outcome expectations. The findings highlight the significant role of STEM stereotypes, self-efficacy in STEM activities, and career-related outcome expectations in students’ career development. The implications of this study for STEM education are also discussed.

The Role of Dual Enrollment STEM Coursework in Increasing STEM Career Interest among American High School Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Elysa N. Corin ◽  
Gerhard Sonnert ◽  
Philip M. Sadler
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Dual Enrollment ◽  
Stem Careers ◽  
Career Interest ◽  
School Students ◽  
Stem Career ◽  
K 12 ◽  
Stem Career Interest

Background/Context The United States is facing a shortage of domestically prepared STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) professionals, yet many high school graduates find they are not sufficiently prepared for college-level work in STEM subjects. Dual enrollment STEM courses count for both high school and college credit, expose students to the demands of a college course, and may be used to augment existing high school course offerings and graduate students who are better prepared to continue, and are interested in continuing, their education in STEM. Purpose/Objective/Research Question/Focus of Study This study investigated changes in students’ reported interest in STEM careers after taking a dual enrollment STEM course. We address the following questions: (1) Are high school students who take one or more STEM dual enrollment courses more likely than their peers to report an interest in STEM careers by the end of high school? (2) Is dual enrollment STEM course-taking more effective than Advanced Placement STEM course-taking in increasing student interest in STEM careers by the end of high school? Research Design A quasi-experimental research design was used in this work, with propensity weights employed to account for group self-selection effects post hoc. Data were collected through a national survey of college students (N = 14,114) who provided information about their K–12 experiences. Findings/Results After controlling for demographic, academic, and background characteristics, particularly prior interest in a STEM career, the odds of a STEM career intention were 1.3 times (p < .05) greater for those taking a dual enrollment course compared with peers who did not. Students who took both dual enrollment and AP STEM courses had 2.1 times the odds of their nonparticipating peers to report an interest in STEM careers. Results show that the STEM dual enrollment intervention is equally effective for students of all demographic backgrounds. Conclusions/Recommendations This study is the first to examine the link between dual enrollment and career interest, revealing an additional avenue through which students may be encouraged to pursue STEM careers. Dual enrollment is a promising intervention to increase STEM career interest among all high school students, including students of different genders, races, socioeconomic status (as measured by highest parental education level), and academic achievement (as measured by math SAT score). The policy implications for this work are that dual enrollment programs should be vigorously implemented and promoted in an effort to increase the number of students, especially students from underrepresented groups, who graduate from high school with an interest in a STEM career.

scholarly journals IDENTIFICATION OF THE INTEREST OF TURKISH MIDDLE-SCHOOL STUDENTS IN STEM CAREERS: GENDER AND GRADE LEVEL DIFFERENCES

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayşegül Ergün
Keyword(s):  
Middle School ◽  
Middle School Students ◽  
Grade Level ◽  
Male Students ◽  
Stem Careers ◽  
Career Interest ◽  
School Students ◽  
Grade Level Differences ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Descriptive Survey

In Turkey, it is predicted that the need for STEM employment in the 2016-2023 period will be close to one million and that about 31% of this need will not be met. Therefore, the identification of students’ interest in STEM careers in middle-school is regarded as important. The aim of this research was to identify the interest of middle-school students in STEM careers. The sample of the research was made up of 892 students who received education in four middle-schools in the Aegean region of Turkey. In this research which was of the descriptive survey model, the STEM Career Interest Questionnaire was used to collect data. As a result of research, it was determined that the interest of male students in STEM careers is more positive compared to the female students. It was found that the interest in careers in terms of grade level did not display any differences in the area of technology, whereas it displayed differences in the areas of science, engineering and mathematics. In addition, it was identified that the interest in STEM careers displayed differences in terms of grade level and that as the grade level increases, the interest in STEM careers decreases.

Examining the Career Self-Management Model Among Native American Students With STEM Career Goals

2020 ◽  
pp. 089484532095946
Author(s):  
Sherri L. Turner ◽  
Hangshim Lee ◽  
Aaron P. Jackson ◽  
Steve Smith ◽  
Gale Mason-Chagil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Native American ◽  
Native Americans ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Outcome Expectations ◽  
Career Goals ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Native American Students ◽  
Stem Career ◽  
Csm Model

Native Americans are highly underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers; however, little research exists concerning how to promote Native Americans’ participation in STEM. In this study, we address this gap by examining variables hypothesized to promote participation using the career self-management (CSM) model among Native American college students with STEM career goals. Results of stepwise regressions demonstrated that academic achievement along with the problem-solving aspects of career self-management (CSM) self-efficacy and instrumental assistance from parents, peers, and others in students’ schools and communities predicts clearer, more specific, and more personally congruent goals; and that these goals along with self-efficacy and instrumental assistance predict career exploration. Contrary to hypotheses, neither STEM outcome expectations nor gender was related to goals or exploration. These findings suggest that CSM can be used to guide research regarding the STEM career development of Native American college students.

scholarly journals Bioinformatics Education in High School: Implications for Promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Careers

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 441-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina N. Kovarik ◽  
Davis G. Patterson ◽  
Carolyn Cohen ◽  
Elizabeth A. Sanders ◽  
Karen A. Peterson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Genetic Research ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Student Interest ◽  
Stem Careers ◽  
Career Information ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
And Mathematics

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.

Consumers’ willingness to pay and drivers of motivation to consume omega-3 enriched mozzarella cheese

2016 ◽  
Vol 118 (10) ◽  
pp. 2404-2419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riccardo Vecchio ◽  
Alessia Lombardi ◽  
Luigi Cembalo ◽  
Francesco Caracciolo ◽  
Gianni Cicia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Outcome Expectations ◽  
Outcome Expectation ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Mozzarella Cheese ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Identity

Purpose Consumer interest and willingness to pay (WTP) for omega-3 enriched water buffalo mozzarella cheese are evaluated through an in-store experimental auction. The purpose of this paper is to estimate individual WTP for enriched mozzarella cheese and related it to self-efficacy beliefs and outcome expectations of omega-3 consumption, following regulatory focus theory. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected in May-June 2015 from a sample of 150 consumers in Southern Italy. A structural equation modelling procedure was implemented. Findings The results show a significant role is played by prevention outcome expectations on consumer behaviour. While promotion outcome expectation constructs proved non-significant, self-identity correlates with prevention outcome expectations. Research limitations/implications There are several limitations that the authors are aware of regarding this study. First of all, since the authors rely on self-reported measures, optimistic bias might have affected participants’ responses (Weinstein, 1980). Second, results may be influenced by the choice of the specific information provided to consumers for the analysis; different claims and different information framings should be tested (LeBoeuf and Shafir, 2003). Practical implications Implications stemming from the results encourage the promotion of omega-3 enriched mozzarella cheese based on stimulating outcome expectations, bearing in mind that individual motivations should be enhanced by self-identity beliefs. Originality/value Although the combined role of self-efficacy and outcome expectations on personal intention to adopt healthy behaviour has already been demonstrated (Keller, 2006; Tudoran et al., 2012), to the best of the knowledge no previous study relates individual behaviour to an intention measured as a WTP for an actual product. In addition, current study has applied a non-hypothetical BDM (from Becker et al., 1964) auction in-store experiment.

scholarly journals Enhancing Diversity in Undergraduate Science: Self-Efficacy Drives Performance Gains with Active Learning

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. ar56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cissy J. Ballen ◽  
Carl Wieman ◽  
Shima Salehi ◽  
Jeremy B. Searle ◽  
Kelly R. Zamudio
Keyword(s):  
Active Learning ◽  
Student Performance ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Underrepresented Minority ◽  
Social Belonging ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Undergraduate Science ◽  
Performance Gains

Efforts to retain underrepresented minority (URM) students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) have shown only limited success in higher education, due in part to a persistent achievement gap between students from historically underrepresented and well-represented backgrounds. To test the hypothesis that active learning disproportionately benefits URM students, we quantified the effects of traditional versus active learning on student academic performance, science self-efficacy, and sense of social belonging in a large (more than 250 students) introductory STEM course. A transition to active learning closed the gap in learning gains between non-URM and URM students and led to an increase in science self-efficacy for all students. Sense of social belonging also increased significantly with active learning, but only for non-URM students. Through structural equation modeling, we demonstrate that, for URM students, the increase in self-efficacy mediated the positive effect of active-learning pedagogy on two metrics of student performance. Our results add to a growing body of research that supports varied and inclusive teaching as one pathway to a diversified STEM workforce.

scholarly journals A Study of Disposition, Engagement, Efficacy, and Vitality of Teachers in Designing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pei-Yi Lin ◽  
Ching Sing Chai ◽  
Morris Siu-Yung Jong
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Teachers ◽  
Stem Education ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Learning Activities ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Positive Perception ◽  
Lesson Design ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
E Learning ◽  
And Mathematics

This study proposes and tests a theoretical model of how perceptions of disposition, engagement, and efficacy of teachers for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) e-learning can predict their sense of vitality when they designed STEM education. Upon the proposition, we developed and validated an instrument for examining the relationships between these variables. The participants were 122 secondary teachers of STEM education from Hong Kong. The instrument included four design aspects as follows: (i) disposition, (ii) lesson design engagement, (iii) efficacy for designing STEM e-learning, and (iv) vitality of teachers after attending a series of STEM professional development activities. To analyze the relationships among the variables, partial least squares structural equation modeling was employed. The disposition of teachers predicted lesson design engagement and both of these factors, in turn, predicted efficacy for designing STEM e-learning. In other words, if teachers have a high proposition toward designing learning activities, their engagement in the lesson design process may enhance their capacities in designing and implementing such activities. Also, the disposition of teachers and lesson design engagement predicted their vitality, revealing that well-suited STEM teachers should not only be able to design a STEM curriculum but also have a positive perception of STEM education.

scholarly journals Sources of self-efficacy and outcome expectations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics domains: A meta-analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 109 ◽  
pp. 118-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hung-Bin Sheu ◽  
Robert W. Lent ◽  
Matthew J. Miller ◽  
Lee T. Penn ◽  
Megan E. Cusick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Outcome Expectations ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
And Mathematics
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