A Study of the Correlation between STEM Career Knowledge, Mathematics Self-Efficacy, Career Interests, and Career Activities on the Likelihood of Pursuing a STEM Career among Middle School Students

Autor/inn/en	Blotnicky, Karen A.; Franz-Odendaal, Tamara; French, Frederick; Joy, Phillip
Titel	A Study of the Correlation between STEM Career Knowledge, Mathematics Self-Efficacy, Career Interests, and Career Activities on the Likelihood of Pursuing a STEM Career among Middle School Students
Quelle	In: International Journal of STEM Education, 5 (2018), Artikel 22 (15 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	2196-7822
DOI	10.1186/s40594-018-0118-3
Schlagwörter	Correlation; STEM Education; Science Careers; Knowledge Level; Mathematics Skills; Self Efficacy; Vocational Interests; Occupational Aspiration; Middle School Students; Foreign Countries; Career Exploration; Learning Activities; Preferences; Statistical Analysis; Regression (Statistics); Canada + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Korrelation; STEM; Wissensbasis; Mathmatics achievement; Mathematics ability; Mathematische Kompetenz; Self-efficacy; Selbstwirksamkeit; Berufsinteresse; Berufsneigung; Berufsziel; Middle school; Middle schools; Student; Students; Mittelschule; Mittelstufenschule; Schüler; Schülerin; Ausland; Berufserkundung; Lernaktivität; Statistische Analyse; Regression; Regressionsanalyse; Kanada
Abstract	Background: A sample of 1448 students in grades 7 and 9 was drawn from public schools in Atlantic Canada to explore students' knowledge of science and mathematics requirements for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. Also explored were their mathematics self-efficacy (MSE), their future career interests, their preferences for particular career activities, and their likelihood to pursue a STEM career. Results: Analysis revealed that while older students had more knowledge about mathematics/science requirements for STEM careers, this knowledge was lacking overall. Also, students with higher MSE were more knowledgeable about STEM career requirements. Furthermore, students with higher MSE and STEM career knowledge were more likely to choose a STEM career. Students with greater interest in technical and scientific skills were also more likely to consider a STEM career than those who preferred career activities that involved practical, productive, and concrete activities. Conclusions: The results of this study show that students in middle school have a limited STEM career knowledge with respect to subject requirements and with respect to what sort of activities these careers involve. Furthermore, students with low MSE have a declining interest in STEM careers. Our data thus support the need to improve access to knowledge to facilitate students' understanding of STEM careers and the nature of STEM work. Exposure of students to STEM careers can enhance their interest in pursuing careers involving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01