Share Paper: Quantitative and Qualitative Indicators of Student Interest in STEM Careers

  1. Janetta Robins Boone, University of North Texas, United States
  2. Anila Das, University of North Texas, United States
  3. Ottavia Trevisan, University of Padova, Italy
  4. Gerald Knezek, University of North Texas, United States
  5. Rhonda Christensen, University of North Texas, United States
Wednesday, April 13 5:30 PM-6:30 PM Eventide - Posters

Abstract: This paper reports on research on middle-schoolers attitudes towards STEM learning and careers. A questionnaire investigated 41 middle-schoolers’ understanding of STEM topics related to space science and their intentions to pursue a career in this field, following two days of technology-infused eighth grade space science learning engagement activities. The methodology of this research was to identify and describe potential relationships of participants’ qualitative responses and associate these with participants’ quantitative responses to established right or wrong answers. The analysis method also incorporated how participants’ responses to future career aspirations may be connected to the level of participants’ interest and insightfulness ...