Investigating Secondary School Students’ Mathematical Well-Being and Its Relationship with their STEM Career Interests

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Abstract

With the increasing demand for a STEM workforce, mathematics is increasingly emphasized as the foundation of STEM education. Furthermore, students' mathematical well-being (MWB) has been shown to directly enhance both mathematical learning and interest. Accordingly, this study investigates secondary students' MWB and its relationship with their interest in STEM careers. Survey data from 426 students in Guangdong, China, were analyzed using factor analysis, yielding a four-dimensional MWB model. Results indicate no significant gender differences in MWB, although male students reported significantly higher interest in STEM careers than female students. Correlation analyses reveal a positive association between MWB and interest in STEM careers. These findings offer novel insights for enhancing students' MWB and optimizing pathways for cultivating STEM talent.

Authors

• Qiaoping Zhang, University of Hong Kong

• Lin Dan, The Education University of Hong Kong

• Haomin FANG, The Education University of Hong Kong