Youth Nonacademic Skill Development: An Entrepreneurial Challenge Project and the Role of Teachers' Autonomous Support

• In Event: Hilton Roundtable 2
  In Roundtable Session: School-Based Interventions to Promote STEM Learning

Abstract

This paper examines nonacademic outcomes among students who participated in a challenge-based STEM capstone program in their senior year of high school. The analysis focuses on two sets of outcomes: (1) attitudinal precursors that support later success in STEM careers – interest in STEM fields and STEM self-efficacy; and (2) nonacademic skills important to career readiness – inquiry and entrepreneurship skills. The study draws on pilot pre- and post-intervention survey data from 147 participating students in nine schools, as well as focus group interviews with 25 students at four schools. In addition, we probe potential mechanisms – including teachers’ autonomous support practices – that might explain the findings based on interviews and surveys from participating teachers.

Authors

• Katherine A. Shields, Education Development Center, Inc.

• David Bamat, Education Development Center

• Joshua David Cox, Education Development Center, Inc.

• Elizabeth Radday, EdAdvance