Investigating the Development of Middle School Students STEM Beliefs

• In Event: Learner Beliefs and Motivation

Abstract

The purpose of this study is twofold: First, to determine if STEM instruction has an impact on participants’ attitudes, perceptions, beliefs, and intentions to persist in STEM. Secondly, to study whether STEM instruction had a positive impact on participants’ perceptions of group work. The STEM curriculum and instruction had a profound impact on students’ attitudes toward learning STEM, perceptions regarding the usefulness of STEM, intentions to persist in STEM, STEM self-efficacy, and perceptions of Group Work. The positive influence of the STEM curriculum is evidenced by the findings that all STEM variables in this study significantly increased as a result of instruction. A second important finding is that the STEM curriculum and instruction heightened students’ perceptions of group work. The substantial increase in participants’ perceptions of group work can be strongly correlated with students’ increased self-confidence while working in groups and feeling less intimidated while working in groups.

Authors

• Patrick L Brown, Fort Zumwalt School District

• James Concannon, Westminster College