Exploring a Group of Women's Childhood Informal STEM Learning Experiences Through Activity Theory

• In Event: Pedagogical Practices and Programmatic Structures to Support Youth Participation and Learning in Informal Environments

Abstract

In this study, the Girls STEM Club (GSC) is a long-standing afterschool STEM program (1994-present). The study investigates retrospective experiences of nine original GSC girls (OGGs) who attended GSC in 1994-1995.Through activity theory lens, we aim to understand the micro- and macro- sociocultural contexts in activity system that influence girls and women’ perceptions and participations in STEM. Data includes survey responses and focus-group and individual interviews. We used thematic analysis data approach to identify themes of activity system in GSC. In particular, we focus on OGGs’ participation in terms of motives, social interactions, and settings. The findings provide a retrospective explanation of learning in GSC which can be used as a reference for informal educators to guide informal STEM learning.

Authors

• Lili Zhou, Purdue University

• Sue Ellen Richardson, Purdue University