Dissertations / Theses: 'STEM students'

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Robertson, Laura, D. Lee, Alissa A. Lange, Ryan A. Nivens, and Jamie Price. "Integrated STEM Learning for Elementary Students." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2019. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/5925.

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We are a collaborative group of K-5 teachers, pre-service teachers, and higher education faculty. In our session we will share our work to design integrated STEM learning units aligned to Tennessee's elementary math and science standards. We will discuss strategies for planning integrated STEM learning as well as use a station format to model interactive, hands-on learning activities. Special emphasis will be placed on math and science standards that may be challenging for teachers.

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Sloan, Tyler Jackson. "How Learning Assistants Impact Undergraduate STEM Students." Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu157790710654608.

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Liu, Keqiao. "Asian American Students' Postsecondary STEM Education Pathways." Thesis, State University of New York at Buffalo, 2017. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10620268.

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This study aims to understand Asian American students’ postsecondary STEM education pathways. It examined Asian American students as a whole and as geographical and generational subgroups. It studied postsecondary STEM education as a whole and as five different fields. It examined STEM pathways through six research topics. And, it explored factors that related to Asian American students’ STEM education pathways. This study contributes to the current research body by focusing on an important matter that needs more exploration, by offering justifiable definitions and classifications of Asian Americans and STEM education, and by suggesting related factors of STEM education.

An US national representative and longitudinal data set, Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS: 2002), was utilized in this study to explore the intended research topics. SPSS, R, and AM were used for the analyses. Missing data imputation was applied. When analyzing the data, the nested structure of ELS: 2002 was considered. And, both descriptive and inferential analyses were carried out. The descriptive analyses were used both as a preparation for inferential analyses and as ways to answer the research questions. The inferential analyses were realized through stepwise logistic regressions. With three regressions for Asian Americans as a whole and three regressions for Asian Americans as subgroups, six stepwise regressions were conducted for the research topics of postsecondary enrollment, STEM choice as a whole, and STEM completion as whole. Due to the limitation of the analytic sample sizes, the research topics of STEM as an individual major choice, STEM individual major completion, and STEM individual major persistence were not examined by using regressions.

This study found that Asian American students were generally more likely to receive postsecondary education and major in STEM fields than White students. Among the five STEM fields, Asian American and White students both favored the fields of biological/agricultural sciences and engineering/engineering technologies. Both Asian American and White students were likely to obtain STEM degrees and persist in the same STEM fields they originally chose. More importantly, examination of the within-Asian American differences indicated that basically no difference was found among Asian American subgroups at certain stages of STEM education: receiving postsecondary education, choosing a STEM major, obtaining a STEM degree, and persisting in the same STEM fields. Nevertheless, Asian American subgroup disparities were found in choosing and obtaining a degree in different STEM fields. On the other hand, different stages of Asian American students’ postsecondary STEM education pathways did not involve the same related factors. Moreover, the same factors did not exhibit the same relative status at different pathway stages. The results imply the importance for future research to examine the within- Asian American and STEM education differences. Also, they have implications for ways to increase postsecondary enrollment, STEM major choice, and STEM degree obtainment.

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Gibson, Amanda Kate Nam. "Gender differences in the social networks of science and engineering graduate students." Thesis, Boston University, 2012. https://hdl.handle.net/2144/31559.

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Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University
PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you.
U.S. women have obtained advanced science and engineering degrees with increasing frequency, yet have not achieved promotions at rates comparable to men's. Men may advance more expeditiously than women due to more supportive professional networks, which can improve access to information and opportunities. Few studies have examined social networks in the context of advanced graduate programs, yet graduate programs are where many scientists develop important relationships helpful in advancing careers. This study addressed the extent to which graduate students' networks (primary advisors, mentors, peers, and family) are associated with academic indicators (i.e., grade-point average, academic progress, student satisfaction, and career commitment); the extent to which these network and academic variables vary by gender; the extent to which network characteristics mediate associations between gender and academic variables; and the extent to which gender match or mismatch of the student and primary advisor is associated with network characteristics and academic variables. Two hundred and thirty-nine doctoral students (58% women, 42% male; mean age 28 years; 29% non-Caucasian) from 18 science and engineering departments at a large research university completed a brief internet survey about their network relationships and academic indicators. Graduate women reported significantly less satisfaction and more negative perceptions of academic progress than did graduate men. Female students with female primary advisors were significantly less satisfied with their graduate experience than were students in other gender pairings. Male students were more likely than female students to have primary advisors who had significant funding, directed a graduate program, and directed a research center. Male students also reported greater satisfaction overall with their mentors. Female students reported larger mentor networks and more emotional support resources received from mentors and peers. Gender differences in overall student satisfaction were partially explained by male students feeling significantly more overall satisfaction with their mentors and a sense of apprenticeship with their advisors as compared to female students. These findings illuminate some important differences between male and female student networks, especially in advising and mentoring relationships, which may be contributing to dissatisfaction and the perception of less academic progress among female students.
2031-01-01

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Ezell, Deborah Mcpherson. "Effect of Chemoscan Creation on High School Students' Attitudes Toward Science." ScholarWorks, 2020. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/7926.

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Whether the activity of creating digital art influences high school students' attitudes toward science is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine if the creation of artistic digital chemoscans by high school students influences their attitudes toward science. In this study, ninth grade high school students' attitudes toward science were examined after participating in the creation of chemoscans in their science classroom. The theory of affective domain helped explain the process that leads to a person's behavior toward a certain phenomenon in the educational setting. The research questions concerned the use of chemoscan creation in the physical science classroom and if and whether implementation effected a change in students' attitudes toward science. Archival pre- and posttest data from the Test of Science Related Attitude was used to measure high school students' attitudes toward science in 7 categories. Archived student pre- and posttest data were treated with multiple regression for analysis. Key findings of this study showed that creation of artistic digital chemoscans (a) impacted one of the seven subscales of science attitude from the Test of Science related Attitude entitled attitude toward the normality of scientists, (b) did not have an impact on the any of the other six subscales from the TOSRA and (c) was influenced by teacher effect. This study may contribute to social change by providing improved training for science teachers who implement digital art activities, which may lead to some students enjoying science more and then possibly going into science careers.

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Bahrami, Fahimeh. "Identifying College Students’ Course-Taking Patterns In Stem Fields." ScholarWorks @ UVM, 2019. https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/graddis/1048.

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In spite of substantial investments in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, low enrollment and high attrition rate among students in these fields remain an unmitigated challenge for higher education institutions. In particular, underrepresentation of women and minority students with STEM-related college degrees replicates itself in the makeup of the workforce, adding another layer to the challenge. While most studies examine the relationship between student characteristics and their outcomes, in this study, I take a new approach to understand academic pathways as a dynamic process of student curricular experiences that influence his/her decision about subsequent course-takings and major field of the study. I leverage data mining techniques to examine the processes leading to degree completion in STEM fields. Specifically, I apply Sequential Pattern Mining and Sequential Clustering to student transcript data from a four-year university to identify frequent academic major trajectories and also the most frequent course-taking patterns in STEM fields. I also investigate whether there are any significant differences between male and female students’ academic major and course-taking patterns in these fields. The findings suggest that non-STEM majoring paths are the most frequent academic pattern among students, followed by life science trajectories. Engineering and other hard science trajectories are much less frequent. The frequency of all STEM trajectories, however, declines over time as students switch to non-STEM majors. The switching rate from non-STEM to STEM fields overtime is, however, much lower. I also find that male and female students follow different academic pathways, and these gender-based differences are even more significant within STEM fields. Students’ course-taking patterns also suggest that taking engineering and computer science courses is predominantly a male course-taking behavior, while females are more likely to pursue academic pathways in life science. I also find that STEM introductory courses - particularly Calculus I, Calculus II and Chemistry I – are gateway courses, that serve as potential barriers to pursuing degrees in STEM-related fields for a large number of students who showed an initial interest in STEM courses. Female students were more likely to switch to non-STEM fields after taking these courses, while male students were more likely to drop out of college overall. In addition to the study’s findings on students’ academic pathways toward attaining a college degree in a STEM-related field, this study also shows how data mining techniques that leverage data about the sequence of courses students take can be used by higher education leaders and researchers to better understand students’ academic progress and explore how students navigate and interact with college curriculum. In particular, this study demonstrates how these analytic approaches might be used to design and structure more effective course taking pathways and develop interventions to improve student retention in STEM fields.

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Lane, Morgan. "HIGH SCHOOL ENGINEERING STUDENTS’ IDENTITIES AND INTEREST IN STEM." UKnowledge, 2019. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/stem_etds/13.

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With a national push toward improving STEM education, it is imperative for researchers to study what makes students want to pursue STEM education and STEM careers. To learn about this in the context of one high school’s engineering program, this study used student interviews to gain insight into how student identities influence their interest and experiences in STEM. Five components of student identities were revealed to be influential on a student’s interest in STEM: (1) an early interest/skill in STEM, (2) familial involvement in STEM, (3) self-motivation, (4) gender, and (5) socioeconomic status.Race/ethnicity, peer influence, and teacher influence did not seem to be as influential as anticipated for the participants in this study. The implications from this study can be used to inform STEM education instruction, specifically within engineering programs, in an effort to intentionally improve student experiences with and interest in STEM.

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Nzima, Ntombeziningi. "The work and family role orientations of STEM students." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/25416.

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Students in the future can expect to partake in two life roles as adults: a work role and family role. This study investigated the life role salience of students studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (N = 191) and examined the extent to which their gender role ideology and perceived parental work-family conflict are predictors of life role salience. Regression analysis showed that students with traditional gender role ideologies had greater family role salience and students with egalitarian gender role ideologies had greater work role salience. Further analysis showed that students' family role salience was predicted by the work-family conflict of their same-sex parent. The implications of the findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.

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9

Sampson, Kristin Morgan. "African-American Female Students and STEM| Principals' Leadership Perspectives." Thesis, The George Washington University, 2018. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10743506.

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As the U.S. becomes more diverse, school leaders, major corporations, and areas of national defense continue to investigate science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education issues. African-American female students have historically been underrepresented in STEM fields, yet educational leadership research, examining this population is limited. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how principals support African-American female students in schools with a STEM program.

The Critical Race Theory (CRT)was used as a theoretical framework to highlight the inadequacies to support educational inequalities. The application of the CRT in this study is due to the embedded inequality practices within the educational system, that have resulted in the underrepresentation of African-American female students in STEM. To complement CRT, the transformative leadership model was also utilized to examine the emancipatory leadership practices principals utilized. These theories framed the context of this study by recognizing the need to address how support is actualized to African-American female students in STEM by their principals.

A case study approach was an appropriate method to answer the two research questions, 1) How do principals feel they support African-American female students in their STEM programs? and 2) What practices do principals engage in that support underrepresented students in STEM? This approach intended to uncover how a principal leads a multifaceted population of underrepresented students in STEM programs. Two principals of STEM schools, where more than 50% of the population were African-American, were interviewed and observed completing daily operations at community-wide events. The STEM Coordinators and a teacher were also interviewed, and test scores were examined to provide further information about the STEM program, and public records were obtained to analyze the principals’ means of communication.

I found that principals supported African-American female students by engaging the community, and exhibiting leadership practices that align with the school culture. The results of this research bring voice to principals who lead schools with thriving STEM programs with majority African American female students. Leaders that exhibit transformative leadership practices by acknowledging race, and recognizing obstacles students of color face, support negating color-blinding ideologies that could impede the progress of all students.

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Moyer, Jonathan Christian Rabe. "A Comparative Study of How High School Students Understand Stem Cells." Fogler Library, University of Maine, 2007. http://www.library.umaine.edu/theses/pdf/MoyerJCR2007.pdf.

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11

Klopfer, Michelle D. "Academic Profiles of Science Students: An Analysis of Longitudinal Data on Virginia Students." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/97401.

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In recent decades, United States public school education has moved toward standards-based curricula. However, performance on standardized tests may not be representative of subject literacy or workforce preparedness. This misalignment may be particularly true in the sciences, where low science literacy and gender-related workforce shortfalls are evident. This study was an exploration of how well standardized test scores and other academic metrics reflected progression to a science major, by gender. This exploratory study used longitudinal data from the Virginia Department of Education, prepared by the Virginia Longitudinal Data System, for students who graduated from Virginia public schools from 2004-2016 (N=1,089,389). Students' standardized assessment scores, science course grades, demographics, and post-secondary major were analyzed using correlation analysis, logistic regression, principal component analysis, and hypothesis testing. Overall, 9% of high school completers enrolled in a post-secondary science major, with approximately half of those students attending 4-year schools. Seventy percent of science majors were female; females were most prevalent in health-related majors and least prevalent in physical sciences. Logistic regression identified the following factors significantly related to enrolling in a post-secondary science major: gender, high school science grades, and the high school's percent of students who majored in science. A student's status as economically disadvantaged or an underrepresented minority was significantly related to enrolling in a 2-year science major. In comparisons among academic metrics, standardized test scores and science grades were uncorrelated, and science grades differed significantly among demographic subgroups. Overall, demographic and school-level factors were more closely related to majoring in science than were academic factors. For both genders and for biological, physical, and health sciences, the percent of students majoring in science doubled from 2005-2015. Standardized test scores and course grades measured different aspects of learning, and higher science grades were related to majoring in science. However, the designation of "science major" is so broad as to be uninformative in a research context; more specificity would be needed to develop academic profiles. From these findings, one can conclude that demographic and cultural factors – rather than academic factors – were more closely related to whether students pursued a science pathway.
Doctor of Philosophy
In recent decades, United States public school education has moved toward standards-based curricula. However, performance on standardized tests may not represent subject knowledge or job preparedness, particularly in the science fields. This study was an exploration of how well standardized test scores and other academic measured were related to majoring in science, for male and female students. This exploratory study used data from the Virginia Department of Education, prepared by the Virginia Longitudinal Data System, for students who graduated from Virginia public schools from 2004-2016. Students' standardized test scores, science course grades, demographics, and college major were analyzed. Overall, 9% of high school completers enrolled in a science major after high school, with approximately half of those students attending 4-year schools. Seventy percent of science majors were female; females were most prevalent in health-related majors and least prevalent in physical sciences. The following factors were significantly related to enrolling in a science major: gender, high school science grades, and the high school's percent of students who majored in science. A student's status as economically disadvantaged or an underrepresented minority was significantly related to enrolling in a 2-year science major. In comparisons among academic measures, standardized test scores and science grades were not related to each other, and science grades differed among demographic groups. Overall, demographic and school-level factors were more closely related to majoring in science than were academic factors. For both genders and for biological, physical, and health sciences, the percent of students majoring in science doubled from 2005-2015. Standardized test scores and course grades measured different aspects of learning, and higher science grades were related to majoring in science. However, the designation of "science major" is so broad as to be uninformative in a research context; more specificity would be needed to develop academic profiles. From these findings, one can conclude that demographic and cultural factors – rather than academic factors – were more closely related to whether students pursued a science pathway.

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Klopfer, Michelle Davis. "Academic Profiles of Science Students: An Analysis of Longitudinal Data on Virginia Students." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/97401.

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In recent decades, United States public school education has moved toward standards-based curricula. However, performance on standardized tests may not be representative of subject literacy or workforce preparedness. This misalignment may be particularly true in the sciences, where low science literacy and gender-related workforce shortfalls are evident. This study was an exploration of how well standardized test scores and other academic metrics reflected progression to a science major, by gender. This exploratory study used longitudinal data from the Virginia Department of Education, prepared by the Virginia Longitudinal Data System, for students who graduated from Virginia public schools from 2004-2016 (N=1,089,389). Students' standardized assessment scores, science course grades, demographics, and post-secondary major were analyzed using correlation analysis, logistic regression, principal component analysis, and hypothesis testing. Overall, 9% of high school completers enrolled in a post-secondary science major, with approximately half of those students attending 4-year schools. Seventy percent of science majors were female; females were most prevalent in health-related majors and least prevalent in physical sciences. Logistic regression identified the following factors significantly related to enrolling in a post-secondary science major: gender, high school science grades, and the high school's percent of students who majored in science. A student's status as economically disadvantaged or an underrepresented minority was significantly related to enrolling in a 2-year science major. In comparisons among academic metrics, standardized test scores and science grades were uncorrelated, and science grades differed significantly among demographic subgroups. Overall, demographic and school-level factors were more closely related to majoring in science than were academic factors. For both genders and for biological, physical, and health sciences, the percent of students majoring in science doubled from 2005-2015. Standardized test scores and course grades measured different aspects of learning, and higher science grades were related to majoring in science. However, the designation of "science major" is so broad as to be uninformative in a research context; more specificity would be needed to develop academic profiles. From these findings, one can conclude that demographic and cultural factors – rather than academic factors – were more closely related to whether students pursued a science pathway.
Doctor of Philosophy
In recent decades, United States public school education has moved toward standards-based curricula. However, performance on standardized tests may not represent subject knowledge or job preparedness, particularly in the science fields. This study was an exploration of how well standardized test scores and other academic measured were related to majoring in science, for male and female students. This exploratory study used data from the Virginia Department of Education, prepared by the Virginia Longitudinal Data System, for students who graduated from Virginia public schools from 2004-2016. Students' standardized test scores, science course grades, demographics, and college major were analyzed. Overall, 9% of high school completers enrolled in a science major after high school, with approximately half of those students attending 4-year schools. Seventy percent of science majors were female; females were most prevalent in health-related majors and least prevalent in physical sciences. The following factors were significantly related to enrolling in a science major: gender, high school science grades, and the high school's percent of students who majored in science. A student's status as economically disadvantaged or an underrepresented minority was significantly related to enrolling in a 2-year science major. In comparisons among academic measures, standardized test scores and science grades were not related to each other, and science grades differed among demographic groups. Overall, demographic and school-level factors were more closely related to majoring in science than were academic factors. For both genders and for biological, physical, and health sciences, the percent of students majoring in science doubled from 2005-2015. Standardized test scores and course grades measured different aspects of learning, and higher science grades were related to majoring in science. However, the designation of "science major" is so broad as to be uninformative in a research context; more specificity would be needed to develop academic profiles. From these findings, one can conclude that demographic and cultural factors – rather than academic factors – were more closely related to whether students pursued a science pathway.

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Briones, San Juanita G. "Diverse Learners in the Classroom: Students with Special Needs Enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Texas Public Classrooms." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2019. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1538641/.

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The purpose of this study was to determine if students with special needs participating in an inclusive classroom can learn the skills related to a STEM career as compared to the general student population. The study involved seventh grade students from two rural middle schools in north central Texas and was framed through a constructivist lens using a quasi-experimental design with a convenience sample. The Solenoid Invention Kit Assessment and the STEM Semantics Survey used in this study were used from a previously large existing dataset from a grant funded by the National Science Foundation for Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers. Findings suggested that there were no significant differences between the general student population and students with special needs. However, STEM coursework in an inclusive classroom may impact students' decision to pursue STEM careers.

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McNulty, McCoy Netreia Z. "Student Involvement and Self-authorship Among African American Undergraduate Students at a STEM-focused University." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2014. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc699984/.

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The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the association between student involvement and self-authorship among African American undergraduate students enrolled at a medium-sized, North Texas STEM-focused university. Self-identified African American undergraduate students at the university completed an online, researcher-developed survey focused on co-curricular involvement activities, degree of involvement in those activities, and perceived self-authorship indicators. From the completed survey pool (N = 49), 10 females and 5 males participated in follow-up focus group sessions. The survey data analysis was limited to descriptive statistics of student involvement and demographic data. Survey results showed that African American undergraduate students at the university were actively involved in co-curricular activities and generally satisfied with their involvement experiences. The focus groups provided a more in-depth picture of the involvement experiences showing that students believed that their commitment to co-curricular activities contributed significantly to their interpersonal and intrapersonal growth—characteristics of self-authorship. The survey and qualitative data combined suggested a positive association between the involvement of African American undergraduate students in co-curricular activities at the university and the development of self-authorship characteristics in those students. Findings from this study support the practice of intentional outreach to African American undergraduate students in order to promote their active involvement in campus activities and events.

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Bergert, Aline, Jana Helbig, and Christin Nenner. "HIS – an international and digital summer school for STEM students." Technische Universitaet Bergakademie Freiberg Universitaetsbibliothek "Georgius Agricola", 2016. https://library.iated.org/view/BERGERT2016HIS.

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The teaching project HIS (Holistic International STEMs – Learning with case studies and real life industry experiences) is presented as part of the poster session. Experience shows that German (outgoing) and international (incoming) students have difficulties to communicate properly at the workplace in Germany as well as abroad due to language differences, especially in STEM terms. In addition, young professionals often do not have experience in working in international or virtual teams. All those challenges are current job requirements, not just in global companies. But: How to teach this in higher education? The classical formats of lectures or seminars are not suitable. Therefore, there is a need to develop and prove new teaching formats, within the curriculum as well as extracurricular. With focus on STEM subjects the presented project combines three current impacts on higher education: Internationalization, digitalization, and labor market orientation. The concept of the project is that STEM students from different countries will attend an international, virtual summer school (April to June 2016). They solve real-life job case studies together in small interdisciplinary teams. The participants are mentored by national and international industry partners and STEM professors. With such, the participants will improve language and communication skills, and apply and exchange their expertise as well as gain intercultural work experience. The concept was awarded by the “Stifterverband für die deutsche Wissenschaft” (Donors association for the promotion of humanities and sciences in Germany). The poster introduces the project and exemplary the three-dimensional assignments of one case study (occupational, lingual, and intercultural). At present, the project should be handled as a “project in progress”. Keywords: technology, teaching projects, STEM, internationalization, digitalization, labor market orientation, employability, job orientation, competencies, development of new curricula

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Mahmoud, Murad. "Attracting Secondary Students to STEM Using a Summer Engineering Camp." DigitalCommons@USU, 2018. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/7259.

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The purpose of this research was to study the benefits of having middle school students attend a summer camp focused on the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). A lot of research funding is being used in such camps to help get more students into STEM fields as there is a lack of graduates in those fields. Therefore, it is important to understand the benefits and effectiveness of such camps. Students, teachers and parents were involved in this research. Students and teachers attended a one-week engineering camp at Utah State University while parents were involved via a blog updated daily with a summary of the activities of the day, pictures, and quotes from the students. The results show that those kinds of camps are effective at increasing students’ interest in STEM fields and in improving parents’ perceptions about those fields. Interestingly, students who started the camp with low interest in STEM fields gained a lot more from the camp than the other students. Similarly, female students also gained a lot more through the camp than male students. This leads us to believe that future camps should target students that stand to gain more from such camps.

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Long, Anthony W. "Heightening Interest in STEM through a Mentoring Project Between Undergraduate and Middle School Students." Youngstown State University / OhioLINK, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1343751128.

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Ramlakhan, Nirmala. "A Comparative Investigation of Career Readiness and Decidedness in First Year STEM Majoring Students Participating in a STEM Mentoring Program Imbedded in a Living-Learning Community With Focused Data on Female STEM Students." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2012. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/5447.

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Female mentoring success was investigated as an undergraduate intervention utilizing career development practices to reduce dysfunctional career thinking and STEM major retention in first year freshmen females within a living-learning community. Repeated measures MANOVAs and canonical correlations in the causal comparative research design evaluated mentoring's influence on first year females. Male voluntary participants (n = 126) formulated the comparison group, and female voluntary participants (n = 75) filled the treatment group. Repeated measure multivariate analyses of variances compared differences between the interaction of mentoring and gender over time on dysfunctional career thinking using two assessments: Career Thoughts Inventory (CTI) and Career Decision Scale (CDS) and their five subscales (decision-making confusion, commitment anxiety, external conflict, certainty and indecision). Canonical correlations analyzed the effect participation rates had on student change scores on the CTI and CDS, indicating mentoring intervention effects on reducing dysfunctional career thinking and decidedness. Conclusions included: (a) females had higher levels of dysfunctional career thinking than males; (b) overtime both groups decreased dysfunctional thoughts,and solidifying their STEM career choices; (c) females had reduced levels of career decidedness compared to males; (d) both groups increased certainty overtime, solidifying their STEM career choice, and (e) when the STEM career choice was made, female certainty was more solidified than males. The study adds to the career development research within STEM at the undergraduate level providing colleges and universities with a structured first year female mentoring program in STEM. The GEMS model may be ideal for colleges and universities utilizing living-learning communities to increase underrepresented female retention and those without STEM career planning courses.?
Ph.D.
Doctorate
Education and Human Performance
Education; Science Education

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Rickels, Heather Anne. "Predicting college readiness in STEM: a longitudinal study of Iowa students." Diss., University of Iowa, 2017. https://ir.uiowa.edu/etd/5612.

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The demand for STEM college graduates is increasing. However, recent studies show there are not enough STEM majors to fulfill this need. This deficiency can be partially attributed to a gender discrepancy in the number of female STEM graduates and to the high rate of attrition of STEM majors. As STEM attrition has been associated with students being unprepared for STEM coursework, it is important to understand how STEM graduates change in achievement levels from middle school through high school and to have accurate readiness indicators for first-year STEM coursework. This study aimed to address these issues by comparing the achievement growth of STEM majors to non-STEM majors by gender in Science, Math, and Reading from Grade 6 to Grade 11 through latent growth models (LGMs). Then STEM Readiness Benchmarks were established in Science and Math on the Iowas (IAs) for typical first-year STEM courses and validity evidence was provided for the benchmarks. Results from the LGM analyses indicated that STEM graduates start at higher achievement levels in Grade 6 and maintain higher achievement levels through Grade 11 in all subjects. In addition, gender differences were examined. The findings indicate that students with high achievement levels self-select as STEM majors, regardless of gender. In addition, they suggest that students who are not on-track for a STEM degree may need to begin remediation prior to high school. Results from the benchmark analyses indicate that STEM coursework is more demanding and that students need to be better prepared academically in science and math if planning to pursue a STEM degree. In addition, the STEM Readiness Benchmarks were more accurate in predicting success in STEM courses than if general college readiness benchmarks were utilized. Also, students who met the STEM Readiness Benchmarks were more likely to graduate with a STEM degree. This study provides valuable information on STEM readiness to students, educators, and college admissions officers. Findings from this study can be used to better understand the level of academic achievement necessary to be successful as a STEM major and to provide guidance for students considering STEM majors in college. If students are being encouraged to purse STEM majors, it is important they have accurate information regarding their chances of success in STEM coursework.

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George, John H. "Preparing Math Deficient University Students for STEM Achievement and Sustainable Learning." Youngstown State University / OhioLINK, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ysu1369580586.

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Yao, Soledad G. "THE INFLUENCE OF ACCESS TO INFORMAL STEM LEARNING EXPERIENCES ON MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS’ SELF-EFFICACY AND INTEREST IN STEM." UKnowledge, 2019. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/stem_etds/10.

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Informal learning experiences have become increasingly effective in enhancing self-efficacy and interest in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).This study investigated the impact of access to informal STEM learning experiences on student self-efficacy and interest in STEM before and after participating in the 2018 See Blue See STEM Summer Experience. Pre-survey results indicated that middle school students who had previous access to informal STEM learning experiences are 3.21 times as likely to demonstrate high self-efficacy in STEM as those who had no previous access. After engaging in the 2018 summer experience, post-survey results showed a statistically significant increase in student self-efficacy in STEM and indicated that students who had previous access to informal STEM learning experiences are 4.13 times as likely to manifest interest in STEM as those who had no previous access. These results suggest that increasing exposure to informal STEM learning experiences enhances both self-efficacy and interest in STEM.

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Mwenda, Margaret Nkirote. "Underrepresented minority students in STEM doctoral programs: the role of financial support and relationships with faculty and peers." Diss., University of Iowa, 2010. https://ir.uiowa.edu/etd/560.

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Beginning with the understanding that minority students are often underrepresented in STEM doctoral programs despite their growing proportions in the population, this study provides a description of selected minority doctoral students' experiences in STEM programs. Specifically, this study examines the influence financial support and relationships with faculty advisors and doctoral peers have on doctoral students' experiences and progress. Data for this research were obtained from 13 minority respondents enrolled during spring, summer, and fall 2009 and 73 majority respondents who provided some comparisons and contrasts. The participants were all Ph.D. students from several STEM programs at a research university in the Midwest. Findings from this study suggest that financial support of doctoral students through fellowships and research/teaching assistantships enables students to interact closely with their faculty and their peers and consequently become integrated into the social and academic systems of their programs. Further, through their experiences in teaching and research minority students report acquiring skills and competencies useful not only for graduate school success (e.g. time management; course reading; dissertation writing) but also for successful transition into their respective professions and careers. Funding takes a different form and plays a different role in shaping students' positive experiences in each of the three stages of doctoral study: fellowships during a student's transition year(s), teaching/research assistants during the middle years, and fellowships during the final year(s). Students reported that this sequence of funding supports successful transition into the doctoral program, development of academic and professional competencies during the middles years, and successful doctoral completion during the final year. Faculty-student relationships are important in socializing minority doctoral students into their disciplines and professions. Faculty advisors and mentors are especially important in developing students' academic competencies as well as in preparing them for their professions. In addition, faculty-student relationships characterized by faculty availability, approachability, interest in developing students' academic and professional competence, and support and encouragement are important, perhaps especially so in the absence of mentoring by faculty of color. Peer to peer interactions primarily offer academic combined with social support. Further, interactions and group dynamics among minority students and their transition into PWI doctoral programs seem to be affected by their undergraduate educational backgrounds.

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Sverdlik, Anna. "Encouraging realistic expectations in STEM students: paradoxical effects of a motivational intervention." Thesis, McGill University, 2014. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=121476.

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University students in STEM disciplines are expected to successfully deal with academic stress while maintaining the well-being and motivation required to achieve superior performance. These students are at risk of overconfidence which can lead to disengagement when students are inevitably faced with disappointment. The present study evaluated the effects of a longitudinal motivational intervention encouraging downgrading expectations (Heckhausen, Wrosch, & Schulz, 2010) for pre-medicine university students (N = 52) on self-reported expectancies (academic expectations and optimism), academic emotions (enjoyment and anxiety), psychological well-being (illness symptoms and depression), and academic achievement (sessional GPA). Contrary to study hypotheses, results showed students in the intervention condition to report higher expectations and optimism on post-test measures, as well as lower GPAs over five academic semesters following the intervention. These paradoxical effects highlight the importance of tailoring previously successful motivational programs to the unique psychological needs and aptitudes of students in STEM disciplines. Keywords: Motivational intervention, STEM, downgrading expectations
Les étudiants universitaires dans les disciplines de STEM sont censés de traiter le stress académique en préservant leur bien-être et la motivation nécessaire pour obtenir un rendement supérieur. Ainsi, ces élèves sont à risque d'être trop confiants, ce qui peut provoquer un désengagement lorsque les élèves rencontreront des expériences décevantes. Cette étude a évalué les effets d'une intervention qui encourage un déclassement de leurs attentes auto-déclarées à long terme (Heckhausen, Wrosch, et Schulz, 2010) pour les étudiants universitaires pré-médecine (n = 52) concernant leurs réussites scolaires et leur optimisme, les émotions académiques (jouissance et l'anxiété), le bien-être (symptômes des maladies et la dépression), et la réussite scolaire (AMP). Les résultats ont révélé que, contraire à les hypothèses, les élèves de la condition d'intervention ont démontré des attentes scolaires et des niveaux d'optimisme plus élever, ainsi que les AMP inférieurs pendant une période de plus de cinq semestres académiques après avoir reçu l'intervention. Ces effets paradoxaux soulignent l'importance d'adapter les programmes de motivation éprouvées aux aptitudes et besoins psychologiques spécifiques des élèves dans des disciplines de STEM. Mots clés: intervention de motivation, STEM, déclassement d'attentes

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Lesko, Cherish Christina. "Relationship Between Active Learning Methodologies and Community College Students' STEM Course Grades." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/4153.

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Active learning methodologies (ALM) are associated with student success, but little research on this topic has been pursued at the community college level. At a local community college, students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) courses exhibited lower than average grades. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the use of ALM predicted STEM course grades while controlling for academic discipline, course level, and class size. The theoretical framework was Vygotsky's social constructivism. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression were performed on data collected through an anonymous survey of 74 instructors of 272 courses during the 2016 fall semester. Results indicated that students were more likely to achieve passing grades when instructors employed in-class, highly structured activities, and writing-based ALM, and were less likely to achieve passing grades when instructors employed project-based or online ALM. The odds ratios indicated strong positive effects (greater likelihoods of receiving As, Bs, or Cs in comparison to the grade of F) for writing-based ALM (39.1-43.3%, 95% CI [10.7-80.3%]), highly structured activities (16.4-22.2%, 95% CI [1.8-33.7%]), and in-class ALM (5.0-9.0%, 95% CI [0.6-13.8%]). Project-based and online ALM showed negative effects (lower likelihoods of receiving As, Bs, or Cs in comparison to the grade of F) with odds ratios of 15.7-20.9%, 95% CI [9.7-30.6%] and 16.1-20.4%, 95% CI [5.9-25.2%] respectively. A white paper was developed with recommendations for faculty development, computer skills assessment and training, and active research on writing-based ALM. Improving student grades and STEM course completion rates could lead to higher graduation rates and lower college costs for at-risk students by reducing course repetition and time to degree completion.

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White, Jeffry L. "Persistence of interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics: an analysis of persisting and non-persisting students." The Ohio State University, 2005. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1115846872.

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Espinosa, Lorelle L. "Pipelines and pathways women of color in STEM majors and the experiences that shape their persistence /." Diss., Restricted to subscribing institutions, 2009. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1971757771&sid=24&Fmt=2&clientId=1564&RQT=309&VName=PQD.

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Periathiruvadi, Sita. "Investigating the Relationship Between Internet Attitudes of College Students and Their Stem (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Career Perceptions." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2013. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc500153/.

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Are our students just consumers of technology or do their interests in technology translate into positive perceptions about STEM majors and careers? This research aimed to describe the role of the Internet in undergraduate students’ academic and career perceptions in STEM areas. The purpose of the research was addressed in three parts. First, the attitudes of undergraduate students towards five functions of the Internet namely tool, toy, treasure, telephone and territory were described. Second, students’ STEM career-related perceptions were described in terms of their science and mathematics self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and attitudes towards a STEM career. Third, the relationship between the five Internet functions and the three STEM career-related perceptions was examined. The participants for this study were 566 undergraduate students from a large Southern university. The research design followed a mixed methods approach using multivariate analyses and content analyses. The findings of the research indicated that there was a small but meaningful relationship between undergraduate students’ Internet and STEM perceptions. In their daily lives, the students perceived the Internet more as a toy and a tool. For general career related purposes, they perceived the Internet more as a treasure and a tool. For STEM areas in particular, they perceived the treasure and toy dimensions of the Internet more relevant. Findings on the differences in students’ Internet and STEM career-related perceptions based on gender, major and enrollment in an Honors program are also discussed.

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Wang, Yingqi. "Student Satisfaction Perceived Employability Skills, and Student Engagement: Structural Equation Modeling Analyses." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/99290.

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This study identified the relationships of student engagement with senior student satisfaction and perceived employability skills from STEM fields in the U.S. A comparison of the relationships of student engagement, student satisfaction, and perceived employability skills was made across senior Asian international students and their American peers in STEM programs. The National Study of Student Engagement (NSSE) data (2011) was used in this study. Structural equation modeling analyses and invariance tests were employed to estimate different models of student engagement, student satisfaction, and perceived employability skills across different samples. The results found that both sense of support and relationships with others of emotional engagement were found the most important constructs to predict college student satisfaction and perceived employability skills. The cognitive engagement had a significant positive effect on student perceived employability skills across all college students, Asian international students, and American students in STEM education. Moreover, this study identified the mediator role of student perceived employability skills on the relationship between student engagement and student satisfaction for all three samples. Additionally, Asian international students differed from American students regarding academic involvement, participating in extracurricular activities, and sense of support in STEM education. Last but not least, this study supported that the three-dimension student engagement model developed by Fredricks et al. (2004) could apply to U.S. college students. Practical and theoretical implications were discussed and limitations acknowledged.
Doctor of Philosophy
It is widely accepted that attracting STEM talents to the U.S. is a key element to maintain the United States' economic supremacy and competitive advantage in a global economy. Asian international students play a significant role to maintain a steady supply of STEM talent pipelines in the U.S. job market. The purpose of this study is to understand the relationships of student engagement with senior student satisfaction and perceived employability skills from STEM fields in the U.S. This study This study was also to identify the relationships of student engagement, student satisfaction, and perceived employability skills across senior Asian international students and their American peers in STEM programs. The results found that both sense of support and relationships with others of emotional engagement were the most important factors to predict college student satisfaction and perceived employability skills. Cognitive engagement had a significant positive influence on student perceived employability skills across all college students, Asian international students, and American students in STEM education. Moreover, this study identified the mediator role of student perceived employability skills on the relationship between student engagement and student satisfaction. Additionally, Asian international students differed from American students regarding academic involvement, participating in extracurricular activities, and sense of support in STEM education. Last but not least, this study supported that the three-dimension student engagement model could apply to U.S. college students. Practical and theoretical implications were discussed and limitations acknowledged.

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Singh, Ashima. "Beyond gender : taking a multi-status approach to understanding students' positioning in STEM /." View online ; access limited to URI, 2008. http://0-digitalcommons.uri.edu.helin.uri.edu/dissertations/AAI3328730.

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Gere, Anna Ruggles, Anna V. Knutson, and Ryan McCarty. "Rewriting Disciplines: STEM Students’ Longitudinal Approaches to Writing in (and across) the Disciplines." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2018. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/3668.

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Drawing on three cases from a larger (N=169) longitudinal study of student writing development, this article shows how STEM students “rewrote” disciplines to suit their writerly purposes as they moved through their undergraduate years. Students made it clear that the institutional dimensions of disciplines, visible in administrative units or departments that control resources and records, remained visible in their mental landscapes, but they had a much more flexible view of the epistemological dimensions of disciplines. Rather than entering a field as novices aiming to emulate the writing of its experts, they drew on the intellectual resources of multiple disciplines in order to carry out their own projects. The goals and choices of these students suggest that the term new disciplinarity has implications for the ways WID is conceptualized. As theorized by Markovitch and Shinn (2011, 2012), new disciplinarity posits elasticity as a central feature of disciplines, calls the spaces between disciplines borderlands, and affirms the dynamic nature of projects and borderlands with the term temporality. As such, new disciplinarity offers terms and a theoretical framework that conceptualize the intellectual negotiations of students.

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Bernasconi, Bethany Marie. "The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy and Advanced STEM Coursework in Female Secondary Students." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/4039.

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Despite years of attention, gender inequity persists in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Female STEM faculty, positive social interactions, and enrollment in advanced STEM secondary coursework are supportive factors in promoting female students' persistence in STEM fields. To address the gap in understanding these factors, this study employed a sequential mixed method design using a framework of social cognitive theory. Research questions focused on how levels of self-efficacy and perception of personal and social factors among female secondary students related to their enrollment in advanced STEM coursework and extracurricular activities in a rural New England school where gender parity exists. All 18-year-old female students (N = 82) were invited to complete the self-efficacy subsection of the Science Motivation Questionnaire II (SMQII). Self-efficacy and enrollment in advanced STEM courses and extracurricular activities were analyzed using a Pearson correlation (N=35). Self-efficacy levels did not correlate with the participants' enrollment in advanced STEM courses and extracurricular activities. In addition, a purposeful sample of participants (N = 7) who completed the SMQII was used to conduct individual interviews investigating how the community of practice contributed to female students' decisions to pursue advanced STEM coursework. Two themes emerged: the roles of the personal landscape (e.g., resilient mindset) and the social landscape (e.g., peer interactions). Professional development materials to support staff in implementing a cognitive apprenticeship were created in response to the emergent themes. In addressing the lack of understanding of female secondary students' engagement in advanced STEM coursework, positive social change may be achieved by supporting a greater percentage of women who can pursue STEM career opportunities.

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Emery, Alyssa A. "Understanding the Motivational and Affective Experiences of Students with Disabilities in STEM Classrooms." The Ohio State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1500559484416098.

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Jackson, Lisa. "SENSE OF BELONGING OF BLACK STUDENTS IN STEM MAJORS: A MIXED METHODS STUDY." VCU Scholars Compass, 2016. http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/4427.

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The purpose of this research was to examine Black STEM students’ sense of belonging. The researcher also sought to understand what factors most contributed to students’ sense of belonging and whether the involvement in a living learning community or summer bridge program had an effect. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used. Participants (N = 89) were administered a revised Psychological Sense of School Membership survey, then were purposively selected to participate in follow-up interviews (N = 8). A principal component analysis, an independent t-test, and a multiple regression analysis were conducted. Results of the principal component analysis identified a two-component model containing 15 items. Survey results indicated that students in a cohort did not differ significantly on their sense of belonging. Sense of belonging was not a significant indicator of academic success. Seven themes emerged during the qualitative phase of the study: (a) student perception of the university; (b) student perception of STEM; (c) individual attributes; (d) family; (e) faculty interaction and support; (f) peer interaction and support; and (g) recommendations. The quantitative and qualitative data provided details regarding students’ perceptions of belongingness. Students highlighted the importance of relationships with others, specifically with faculty and peers, to their belonging and success in the university. This study provided researchers, university administrators, professors, and even students insight into the world of Black STEM students and highlighted the nuances associated with their attendance at a predominately White institution and studying in a White, male dominated field.

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Davis, Martale J. "The acting White accusation, social anxiety, and bullying among Black girls in a STEM and non-STEM school." Kent State University / OhioLINK, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1560622110082959.

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Ferro, Melyssa D. "STEM Influence on Career Choice Variables of Middle School Students Based on Gender and Ethnicity." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/7643.

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Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are growing fields in both global job markets and educational spaces. The problem related to this study was the lack of understanding of how gender and ethnicity might relate to differences in the science self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and task interest of students who have participated in STEM intervention programs at the middle school level. The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore the extent to which there were differences between the dependent variables of science self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and task interest in U.S. middle school students based on the independent variables of gender and ethnicity after participating in a citizen science STEM intervention program. Social cognitive career theory was the theoretical framework for the study. This study was a nonexperimental comparative investigation based on survey responses from students who had participated in a water quality, citizen science STEM intervention from 2017-2019. The participating students’ school district has a history of multiple, systemic STEM learning experiences. The results of two-way MANOVA indicated that there were no statistically significant differences in career choice variables between male and female students and between non-Hispanic and Hispanic students after participating in a citizen science intervention program. This study has the potential to help students from underrepresented populations to envision success in their STEM educational and career pathways by seeing other students experience success in those areas. Educators may also be better able to design programs that address the specific needs of underrepresented student populations, which may lead to better student outcomes for those groups.

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Sann, Visna. "Factors motivating Cambodian American students to go to college and to study STEM fields." Thesis, California State University, Long Beach, 2014. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=1569896.

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Cambodian Americans graduate from college at a lower rate than most Asian American groups. This qualitative study involved interviewing five current Cambodian American college students. This study examined how participants' high school experiences contributed to their decisions to go to college and to study STEM fields, how parental influences guided participants to college, and how college experiences influenced their decisions to stay and succeed in STEM fields. Findings from this study suggest: having supportive teachers in high school may have been important in motivating participants to go to college and to study STEM Fields, Cambodian parents tell stories of their lives in Cambodia to motivate their children to go to college, and Cambodian club on campus was a socially and academically supportive place.

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Hall-Lay, Sandra. "Gender Effects of Robotics Programs on STEM-Related Self-Efficacy of High School Students." ScholarWorks, 2018. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/5714.

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Lack of STEM-related self-efficacy has impeded the growth of women in STEM fields. Out of school (OST) robotics programs and other STEM-related OST programs provide secondary students with opportunities to work in groups, brainstorm, and formulate ideas that require communication and teamwork. The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental study was to compare STEM-related self-efficacy scores among male and female students who participated in OST robotics programs or other OST STEM-related programming. Independent variables were type of OST STEM program and gender. The dependent variable was students' STEM-related self-efficacy as measured by the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale. Responses from 149 students in 4 southeastern U.S. metropolitan high schools were analyzed using a 2x2 factorial ANOVA. Findings indicated the relationship between STEM-related self-efficacy scores and type of OST programming was not moderated by gender. There was a significant main effect for program type. Students in the robotics OST programs demonstrated significantly higher STEM-related self-efficacy than did students in other STEM-related OST programs. Findings may be used to inform educators, community leaders, parents, and policymakers regarding the benefits of OST robotics programs, which may encourage women to obtain STEM-related degrees and pursue STEM careers.

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Moran, Renee Rice, LaShay Jennings, Karin Keith, and Natalia Ward. "STEM in the ELA Classroom: Using Lego Story Visualizer to Engage Students in Writing." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2019. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/5969.

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Yang, Xuemei. "A quantitative analysis of factors that influence and predict students' intention to major in and complete an ungraduate program in STEM or non-STEM/." Search for this dissertation online, 2005. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/ksu/main.

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Sedler, Jennifer Leanne. "The Effect of One Touch STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Program Education on Students' Perception of and Self-Identification with STEM and Scientists." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/579417.

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While science subjects intrigue a large percentage of young students, the numbers continually drop over the course of pre-college exposure to the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) topics. Therefore this study was designed to assess the effectiveness of ‘One Touch' STEM education programs in changing students' perception of STEM and/or scientists. It in particular asks if it affects one gender or age more than another. The results indicated that 1ˢᵗ grade students began with the least ability to identify with STEM and scientists (with pre-survey questions averaging 2.13 on a scale indicating ‘positive identification' while 5ᵗʰ, 8ᵗʰ, and 11ᵗʰ grade students averaged 2.45, 2.32, and 2.42, respectively) and also showed the greatest potential for change (with an average change of 42.34% while 5ᵗʰ, 8ᵗʰ, and 11ᵗʰ grade students averaged 30.25%, 24.15%, and 26.70%, respectively). The results also showed that female students began with the least ability to identify with STEM and scientists (with pre survey questions averaging 2.30 while male students averaged 2.42), and showed a greater potential for change (with an average change of 31.97% while male students averaged 24.55%). Results of this study suggest that STEM education should begin early and address gender stereotypes. With this information, STEM advocates in Tucson will be able to better utilize funding and understand their target populations.

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Morata, Juan M. "Do Mentoring Programs Make a Difference? A Qualitative Case Study on the Journey of Latino Students in a STEM Track." FIU Digital Commons, 2017. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/3516.

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A number of studies have sought to identify factors influencing STEM students’ success in colleges and universities (Crisp et al., 2009; Excelencia, 2011; Hagedorn & Purnamasari, 2012). However, there are few qualitative studies focusing on students’ perspectives and how they make meaning of their experiences as participants in a mentoring program. The main purpose of this research was to explain the perceptions of Latino students in a STEM Mentoring Program at Miami Dade College. Because this study sought to gain an in-depth understanding of how students involved in a mentoring program make meaning of their experiences, the type of qualitative research that fits this inquiry was a single case study. This study was undertaken to address these questions: (a) How do STEM students make meaning of mentorship? (b) How do STEM students construct their experiences in the Program? (c) To what extent do gender and ethnicity play a role in how students make meaning of their mentoring experiences? (d) What do students identify as important for succeeding in a mentorship program? The major findings of this study were: (1) For the participants, a formal mentoring programs offers various forms of academic support, but they found interpersonal support with informal mentors; (2) For the participants, in a formal mentoring program a career match between mentor and mentee is essential; (3) For the participants, the required number of meetings in a formal mentoring program was burdensome, but other required activities were important; (4) For the participants, the peer mentoring experience was important and self-fulfilling; (5) For the participants, the gender or race of the mentor was insignificant, but some believed that sharing the same cultural background made them feel more connected with their majors; and (6) For the participants, encouragement and emotional support from their families was important, but only those with college-educated parents received the academic and financial support necessary important to succeed in college; (7) For the participants, a mentoring program will be successful if there are opportunities for building community among students and faculty, but ultimately, what matters for success are the personal characteristics of students. This study was significant because it provided insight into what students understand are key experiences of being in a mentoring program, and it also identified the kinds of institutional support students themselves thought would help in STEM careers. This information can help institutions of higher education plan and administer effective mentoring programs in STEM or even other fields.

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Ebelt, Kaye R. "The effects of a robotics program on students skills in STEM, problem solving and teamwork." Montana State University, 2012. http://etd.lib.montana.edu/etd/2012/ebelt/EbeltK0812.pdf.

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In this action research project a fifth grade robotics program was studied to determine student attitudes towards science, technology, engineering, math (STEM), problem solving and teamwork. The goal of the study was to determine the effectiveness of an after school robotics program. At the conclusion of the study, the research indicated an increased interest in STEM education, greater appreciation for teamwork and more positive attitude towards problem solving.

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Worthley, Mary. "A mixed methods explanatory study of the failure/drop rate for freshman STEM calculus students." Thesis, Colorado State University, 2013. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=3565581.

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In a national context of high failure rates in freshman calculus courses, the purpose of this study was to understand who is struggling, and why. High failure rates are especially alarming given a local environment where students have access to a variety of academic, and personal, assistance. The sample consists of students at Colorado State University (CSU) who attended a course in freshman calculus from Fall 2007 to Fall 2012. An explanatory sequential mixed methods approach was used in this study.

Using data from CSU's Registrar's Office and Mathematics department, descriptive statistics highlighted several student attributes worth pursuing. Fall and spring cohorts have a different make up and different outcomes. Hence this study concentrated on the fall cohort, which comprises mainly of freshmen. The combination of attributes that produced the strongest prediction of student's final result in calculus were Colorado Commission on Higher Education index scores, CSU Mathematics department placement test scores, and calculus repeat status (R²=.30, n=1325). For Fall 2012, these attributes were combined with student motivation and student strategies constructs, measured using the MSLQ instrument. The combination giving the strongest prediction of student's first mid-term examination results (R²=.34, n=124) included CSU Mathematics department placement test scores, along with MSLQ constructs test anxiety, and self-efficacy for learning and performance. However, using logistic regression only 38.7% of the students who failed were correctly predicted to fail.

Former students of CSU's calculus course aimed at freshmen STEM students were interviewed or surveyed, in an attempt to probe how students experience this course. Several common elements emerged. Students were dedicating vast amounts of time to this course. There was a common belief this course could be passed if the student worked hard enough. The difference between those who succeeded and those who did not appeared to relate to how this study time was spent. Those who floundered often struggled to locate appropriate help, although they were quite aware they needed assistance. Many of those interviewed also avoided working with other students. Reasons cited ranged from claims of being individual learners, to frustration at finding a group who had the same study goals. Some non-traditional students were also alienated by the prospect of working with `teenagers'.

Two other results from the analysis of student interviews suggested reanalyzing the quantitative data and including student's prior history with mathematics, as well as if the student was non-traditional. The combination of attributes that gave the strongest relationship (R²=.40, n=101) were CSU Mathematics department placement test results, combined with MSLQ constructs test anxiety, self-efficacy for learning and performance, organization, as well as the student's own appraisal of the quality of mathematics teaching they received in high school. However, the ability to accurately predict if a student will fail was minimal.

Focusing on students who do fail, three groups of students of interest were isolated: those who have yet to declare their major, 'non-traditional' students, particularly those enrolled in the eight a.m. class, and, curiously, those students who choose to enroll in the ten a.m. class.

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Mitchell, Venessa M. "A phenomenological study factors African American female college students face participating in engineering STEM majors." Thesis, University of Phoenix, 2015. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=3691416.

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The purpose of this qualitative research methods study with empirical phenomenological research design was to explore the lived experiences of the African American females compared to other populations entering engineering or other Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program in colleges. Although African American females have made some strides in educational achievements, there continues to significantly less progress in engineering and other STEM disciplines. Many occupations in the science, technology, engineering, and math fields require degrees in STEM to be considered for interviews and eventual employment. The African American female population in order to be more successful in engineering or other STEM programs it will be necessary to understand what barriers may exist that hinder positive results on an ongoing basis. The general problem of low numbers of female minority college students in STEM programs continues to create concerns for administrators and instructors. Proper evaluation and recommended improvements are needed to improve success rates for the African American female students. The goal of this research was to interview approximately 20 – 25 African America female college students in engineering and other STEM programs to identify what obstacles may exist that might hinder their success in these programs and make recommendations for improvements in the future.

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Medrano, Esmeralda. "Predictors of success for first-time community college students pursuing stem degrees| A quantitative study." Thesis, California State University, Fullerton, 2015. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=3663987.

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This study evaluated the impact of predictor variables on certificate, associate, or bachelor's degree completion for first-time community college students pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees.

Using binary logistic regression, this study applied Crisp and Nora's theoretical model of persistence and transfer to first-time community college STEM students. The study used binary logistic regression to assess whether demographic variables, pre-collegiate variables, environmental pull factors, and academic experiences significantly predicted whether first-time STEM students completed a certificate, associate, or bachelor's degree within six-years of entering a community college. Four out of the 19 variables under this study, significantly predicted certificate, associate, or bachelor's degree completion for first-time community college STEM students.

The findings from this study indicated that gender, ethnicity, enrollment into high school calculus, and STEM GPA during college significantly predicted certificate, associate, or bachelor's degree completion for first-time community college STEM students. Further, the findings suggest that female STEM students were more likely than males to complete a certificate or degree; Hispanic students were as likely to complete a degree as White students, but their enrollment numbers in STEM fields of study were much lower. Conversely, Black/African American students were less likely to complete a certificate or degree than their White counterparts. Additionally, students with higher STEM GPAs and students who completed calculus during high school were more likely to complete a certificate, associate, or bachelor's degree. Finally, enrollment in basic skills courses was not statistically significant in predicting certificate or degree completion.

The findings associated with the present study indicate academic differences between the general community college student population and the community college STEM student population. As a result, the findings of this study have implications for policy and practice in STEM programs throughout community colleges nationwide.

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Dagley, Falls Melissa. "Psychological Sense of Community and Retention: Rethinking the First-Year Experience of Students in STEM." Doctoral diss., Orlando, Fla. : University of Central Florida, 2009. http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0002841.

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Witherspoon, Lauren. "Understanding the Motivation of Female Ph.D. Students to Enroll and Persist in STEM-Related Fields." Thesis, University of Oregon, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/1794/23730.

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The study used a sequential explanatory mixed methods research design to examine the motivational and behavioral factors that underlie underrepresented female Ph.D. students’ decisions to enroll and persist in STEM-related fields. Quantitative survey data were collected using the Motivated Student Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) along with five social and emotional well-being open-ended questions. Qualitative data were collected through focus groups. The self-regulated learning framework was used to examine the motivation/affect, behavior, and contextual factors used to inform the investigation. Findings from the study suggest specific supports that universities could implement to increase the enrollment and persistence of female Ph.D. students in STEM-related fields.

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Schneider, Madalyn R. "Middle School Students' Attitudes toward Math and STEM Career Interests: A 4-Year Follow-Up." OpenSIUC, 2014. https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/dissertations/922.

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The purpose of the current study is to examine middle school students' attitudes toward math, intent to pursue STEM-related education and occupations, and STEM interest from middle school to high school. The data used in this study are from a larger, on-going National Science Foundation (NSF) grant-funded study that is investigating middle school students' disengagement while using the Assistments system (Baker, Heffernan & San Pedro, 2012), a computer-based math tutoring system. The NSF grant study aims to explore how disengagement with STEM material can aid in the prediction of students' college enrollment as well as how it may interact with other factors affecting students' career choices (San Pedro, Baker, Bowers, Heffernan, 2013). Participants are students from urban and suburban schools in Massachusetts measured first in middle school and again four years later. Measures at Time 1 included: various items related to attitudes toward mathematics, occupations they could see themselves doing as adults, and the Brief Self-Control Scale (Tangney, Baumeister, & Luzio Boone, 2004). Measures at Time 2 included: items requesting the students' current mathematics and science courses and intended majors or occupations following high school graduation. Exploratory factor analysis, multiple regression and logistic regression analyses were used to test the following four hypotheses: I. There will be several distinct factors that emerge to provide information about middle school students' attitudes toward math; II. Students' attitudes toward math will correlate positively and significantly with students' intent to pursue STEM-related careers at Time 1 with a medium effect; III. Middle school attitudes toward mathematics will relate positively and significantly to level of high school mathematics and science courses with a medium effect; IV. Middle school intent to pursue STEM will correlate positively and significantly with high school intent to pursue STEM majors/careers with a medium effect. Results supported a 2-factor model of Attitudes toward Mathematics consisting of Math Self-Concept and Attitudes toward Assistments. Other significant findings include: a positive relationship between students' Attitudes toward Assistments and level of math class taken in high school; a positive relationship between students' Math Self-Concept and Self Control; a positive relationship between Self Control and students' endorsement of STEM careers while in middle school, and discrepancy between male and female students' endorsement of STEM careers as early as middle school. Although many of the study's primary hypotheses were not supported, the present study provides a framework and baseline for several important considerations. Limitations, including those related to the present study's small sample size, and future implications of the present study, which add to career development literature in STEM, are discussed in regard to both research and practice.

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Kaui, Toni Marie Mapuana. "Developing Cultural Competence and Promoting Culturally Responsive Teaching in STEM Educators of Native Hawaiian Students." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/79845.

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The purpose of this study was two-fold. The first was to determine the degree of culturally responsive teaching practices and level of cultural competence of participants who teach upper elementary (grades three through six) STEM educators of predominantly Native Hawaiian students. The second purpose was to identify differences in cultural competence and culturally responsive teaching practices of those same participants identified above. These two participant groups were from the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Education’s Keonepoko and Pāhoa Elementary Schools. Both schools are from the Keaʻau-Kaʻu-Pāhoa Complex Area. The educators from Keonepoko were afforded knowledge and experiences from a culture-based professional development program known as the Moenahā School Program, while the educators from Pāhoa were not afforded these same knowledge and experiences. Using a quantitative, quasi-experimental design, data were collected via an online survey using three instruments: the Culturally Responsive Teaching Self-Efficacy Inventory (CRTSE), the Cultural Competence Self-Assessment Questionnaire (CCSAQ), and the Cultural Competence Self-Assessment Scale Demographic Information (CCSASDI). The data were analyzed using mean scores and those mean scores were compared for differences using a Mann-Whitney U test. The findings indicated the Moenahā participants had a statistically significantly higher level of cultural competence and higher degree of culturally responsive teaching practices than the non-Moenahā participants suggesting the importance of cultural competence professional development iii opportunities. These findings are applicable for teachers in schools with an higher Native Hawaiian student population.
Ph. D.

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Sunny, Cijy Elizabeth. "Stakeholders’ Conceptualization of Students’ Attitudes and Persistence towards STEM: A Mixed Methods Instrument Development and Validation Study." University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1521190666039014.

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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'STEM students'

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