Little research has been done to examine the impact of informal science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning on middle school students' career aspirations. Participants included 507 incoming fifth through eighth graders from underrepresented populations in STEM fields, which were recruited at three sites. Data collected…

Student grades and motivational outcomes in introductory physics courses can influence their retention in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines and future career aspirations. We surveyed students in mandatory large introductory level algebra-based physics courses for bioscience majors at a large research university. The…

Given the need to increase Black males' participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), this study employed a multiple case studies approach to investigate the perceptions of identity to STEM possibilities of Black males who participated in advanced placement and math and science courses. A conceptual framework of…

The underrepresentation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)-related fields remains a concern for educators and the scientific community. Gender differences in mathematics and science achievement play a role, in conjunction with attitudes and self-efficacy beliefs. We report results from the 2011 Trends in…

The Mathematics, 3D Printing, and Computational Thinking Through Work-Based Learning (MPACT) program relies on teacher professional development, specialized curriculum and materials, and STEM industry mentors to provide grades 4-7 students with project-based experiences implemented across three learning modules. This technical report presents…

There is a national need to recruit more science teachers. Enhancing pathways to teaching for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors could help to address this need. The Learn By Doing Lab is a course in which STEM undergraduates teach hands-on life science and physical science to local third- through eighth-grade…

This study examines how to investigate traditionally underrepresented students' sense of belonging, self-efficacy, and academic engagement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) residential learning communities (RLCs). A 28-item survey was developed that included items from three previously validated instruments to measure…

There is a need to improve students' motivation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Student's academic choices are significantly influenced by parental behaviours and even more so by how those behaviours are perceived by the students. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of perceived family…

Millions of dollars and countless hours of effort have been invested by school leaders and other stakeholders worldwide seeking to increase students' enthusiasm toward science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through educational robotics competitions. The largest of these competitions is the VEX Robotics Competition (VRC). Little research…

The number of students pursuing a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) degree in the United States has continued to decline over the last two decades. These trends are alarming considering the national focus on providing accessible and quality STEM education to underrepresented students, as well as the fact that the number of…

Societal stereotypes and biases about who belongs in physics and who can excel in it can impact the physics beliefs, including their self-efficacy, interest, and identity, e.g., of women in physics courses. Exploring these beliefs longitudinally and analyzing how different beliefs predict students' physics identity are important for developing a…

For more than a century, whether or not the research-teaching nexus exists has remained an intensely debated issue in the global academy at both the conceptual and empirical levels. Situating teaching styles within the context of teaching, conceptualizing research agendas as a dimension of research, and using academic self-efficacy as a mediator,…

Since the late twentieth century, with the development of the Internet of Things (IoT), the IoT covers the application of comprehensive knowledge and technology in the fields of circuitry, physics, mechanics, and information, making it a suitable topic for hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities. The IoT covers…

"Future Girls of STEM" is a university-sponsored, summer camp outreach program that was designed and implemented by an all-female faculty group to increase young girls' interest in pursuing future careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This paper discusses the logistics and results of the pilot Future Girls…

Aviation is an interdisciplinary subject that has influenced human development over the last century. Learning about aviation exposes students to principles of flight, language, earth science, aeronautical engineering, flight training and airmanship. In K-12 education, educators have started to encourage children to learn science, technology,…