The Effect of C-STEM Projects on High School Students' Interest in STEM Careers

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 3:20 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Student Engagement, Identity, and Motivation in STEM (Table 9)

Abstract

The shortage of STEM talent is an important issue facing the world. To increase school students' interest in STEM careers, this study developed C-STEM projects by integrating STEM career contexts and information into STEM projects, and implemented the C-STEM projects in two high schools in Hunan Province, China. 152 10th grade students and four teachers participated in this study. The results of questionnaires and interviews indicate that the C-STEM projects have improved high school students' STEM career interest and perceptions, alleviated students' STEM gender stereotypes, but had no significant effect on improving their STEM self-efficacy. Additionally, this study has also analyzed the challenges and suggestions encountered during the implementation of the C-STEM projects.

Authors

• Ning Wang, Shaanxi Normal University

• Weiping Hu, Shaanxi Normal University