Examining How STEM Interest and Family Support Predict Future STEM Aspirations for Underrepresented Minority Students

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Wednesday 3:45pm
  In Poster Session: (Re)Defining and Operationalizing Research Historically and Contemporarily in Urban Spaces

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between students’ STEM interests and family support with aspirations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers and in underrepresented minority students (URM). Findings show that family support is a statistically significant predictor of STEM career aspirations, accounting for 32% of variance. After controlling for family STEM support, we found that students’ interest in STEM also explains an additional 43% of variance. The interaction term was statistically significant with family STEM support but not with self-STEM interests, highlighting its importance for students from underrepresented backgrounds. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge used by researchers to understand the supports that encourage students to pursue STEM careers and their aspirations in these fields.

Authors

• Jarrod G. Collins, Texas A&M University

• Wisdom Yao Nudze, Texas A&M University

• Jose Rosalio Palma, Texas A&M University