Revisiting the "Pipeline" in STEM Pathways Research: Alternatives That Reflect Systemic, Cultural, and Contextual Features

Session Type: Working Group Roundtable

Abstract

Drawing upon AERA’s 2023 call for research proposals that “revisit consequential research with a focus upon equity, justice and opportunity” and “engage dialogically with communities” this working group roundtable brings together researchers studying the impacts of out-of-school programs for youth who are exploring alternatives to the ‘pipeline’ conception which has traditionally informed research and policy on STEM pathways. Critics of the ‘pipeline’ conception in STEM contend that the metaphor does not capture cultural or contextual features of marginalized students and groups, nor the systemic barriers to retention and full participation throughout different stages of education and career. This session examines research working with alternatives to the pipeline conception that represent inclusive, youth-centered means of understanding long-term participation in STEM.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Informal Learning Environment Research

Chair

• Karen M. Hammerness, American Museum of Natural History

Papers

• New Measures for a New Look at Youth Pathways - Karen M. Hammerness, American Museum of Natural History; Anna MacPherson, American Museum of Natural History; Peter Bjorklund, University of California - San Diego; Rachel Chaffee, American Museum of Natural History; Alan J. Daly, University of California - San Diego; Preeti Gupta, American Museum of Natural History; Jennifer Dawn Adams, University of Calgary

• Evaluating the Long-Term Influences of an Intensive Youth STEM Program - Emily Weiss, University of California - Berkeley; Bernadette S Chi, BChi Consulting

• A Longitudinal Study of a Museum-Based Out-of-School Time STEM Program for Youths - Cindy La Nguyen, Museum of Science and Industry - Chicago