From Initial Interest to Persistence in STEM

• In Event: Poster Session 14
  In Poster Session: Topics in Survey Research

Abstract

To encourage more students to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), educators must first know when they are most likely to become interested and how best to inspire that interest. We constructed a survey to identify the important factors in generating students’ STEM interest and their persistence in the field from pre-kindergarten to adulthood. Our results indicate that students’ STEM interest is primarily piqued in elementary school. Students are also largely influenced by their innate interest, school experiences, and close family members or teachers. With regard to STEM persistence, there is much flux between STEM and non-STEM fields, though most who gain intrinsic interest in elementary school remain on the STEM path.

Authors

• Christina Melki, Indiana University

• Adam V. Maltese, Indiana University

• Heidi Wiebke, Indiana University