Middle School Students' Understanding of and Interest in STEM-Related Careers

• In Event: The Right Choice: Gaining Expertise and Choosing a Pathway to Promote Healthy Career Development

Abstract

This mixed-methods study investigates middle school students’ STEM career knowledge and interest. We identified what a large sample of middle school students understands about STEM-careers and explored of the reasons students provided for their interest in STEM careers. We also looked for any group differences. Findings showed that students’ understanding of STEM careers are very limited and constrained with the occupations they are more likely to interact with in their daily lives. The reasons students provided for their STEM interests are in alignment with the Situated-Expectancy Value Theory. We found some group differences in terms of the types of occupations and reasons provided by the students. Our statistical analyses generally supported our qualitative findings.

Authors

• Elif Özülkü

• Matthew J. Kloser, University of Notre Dame

• Jack McConnell, University of Notre Dame

• Grace Stephenson, University of Notre Dame