The Relationship Between Gender, Science Mindset, and Science Inquiry in Middle School

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session Six
  In Roundtable Session: Identity, Inquiry, and Science Education (Table 5)

Abstract

This study contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between science mindset, science inquiry, and gender at a critical time in students’ life when science interest and performance begin to decline, especially for girls. We explored how 380 students' science mindsets vary over time when they engage in science inquiry activities, and studied potential differences between male and female students. We designed a two-groups (paired) dependent variable mean difference pre-posttest quasi-experiment, identifying student gender as an independent variable and student science mindset as a dependent variable. We found that students’ science mindset positively changed by about 1 standard deviation towards a growth perspective as they engaged in two science inquiry activities. We found no gender differences.

Authors

• Jennifer D. Hooper, East Central High School
  Presenting Author

• Guadalupe Carmona, University of Texas at San Antonio
  Presenting Author

• Cynthia Esperanza Lima, University of Texas - San Antonio
  Presenting Author

• Roxanne Lee Henkin, University of Texas - San Antonio
  Presenting Author

• Veronica Vargas-Alejo, Universidad de Guadalajara
  Presenting Author