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ERIC Number: EJ1096058
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1557-5284
EISSN: N/A
A Social Cognitive Approach to Understanding Engineering Career Interest and Expectations among Underrepresented Students in School-Based Clubs
Dika, Sandra L.; Alvarez, Jaquelina; Santos, Jeannette; Suárez, Oscar Marcelo
Journal of STEM Education: Innovations and Research, v17 n1 p31-36 Jan-Mar 2016
Interest in engineering at early stages of the educational career is one important precursor to choosing to study engineering in college, and engineering-related clubs are designed to foster such interest and diversify the engineering pipeline. In this study, the researchers employed a social cognitive career theory framework to examine level of interest in studying engineering and expected educational attainment among underrepresented low-income middle and high school students participating in materials science and engineering (MSE) clubs. Questionnaire data were collected from over 200 MSE club participants in low-income public middle and high schools in Puerto Rico. The results indicate that perceived value of engineering is useful in predicting career interest among underrepresented middle and high school students; however, traditional predictors of educational interests and attainment (gender, mother's education, parent expectations) exert the strongest influence on engineering interest and attainment expectations.
Institute for STEM Education and Research. P.O. Box 4001, Auburn, AL 36831. Tel: 334-844-3360; Web site: http://www.jstem.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Middle Schools; Secondary Education; Junior High Schools; High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Puerto Rico
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A