The Importance of Academics in Students' Sense of Belonging in a STEM-Focused School

• In Event: 56.082 - Poster Session 12
  In Poster Session: 56.082-1 - Motivation, Learning, and Instruction in STEM

Abstract

This study aimed to expand the Psychological Scale of School Membership (PSSM; Goodenow, 1993) to include academic belonging items based on the findings of Authors (2016) for students attending a STEM school. Additionally, the present study aimed to determine if differences existed in students’ sense of belonging based on their gender or race. Results show that academic belonging items loaded onto the same three factors as the PSSM (Goodenow, 1993). In contrast to the authors’ hypothesis, students’ sense of belonging did not differ based on their gender or race. This finding suggests that all students at this school have an equal opportunity to feel as though they belong, which may lead to a greater sense of belonging in STEM courses.

Authors

• Marissa Green, The Ohio State University - Columbus

• Kristin Nicole Henkaline, The Ohio State University