ERIC Number: EJ1342428
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1557-5284
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Investigating Title I School Student STEM Attitudes and Experience in an After-School Problem-Based Bridge Building Project
Yang, Dazhi; Chittoori, Bhaskar
Journal of STEM Education: Innovations and Research, v23 n1 p17-24 Jan-Mar 2022
Previous studies suggest a strong correlation between exposure to hands-on STEM programs and positive attitudes toward and experience with STEM subject matter amongst, middle, high school, and university students. However, there has been little research on the impact of hands-on STEM projects on Title I (socioeconomically disadvantaged) elementary students. The current study investigated the outcome of a project-based bridge design project developed for Title I elementary students using a mixed-methods research design. 36 students participated in an eight-weeks after-school project-based bridge building curriculum using K'NEX building kits. Quantitative data were collected on student attitudes towards STEM before and after the student participation using a STEM attitude survey. Qualitative data were collected via focus-group interviews at the project's conclusion. Survey results show that student attitudes toward engineering and technology had a significant increase in favorable perception after participation. However, student attitudes did not significantly change towards math or science. The focus-group interviews indicated that students had a positive experience overall and preferred hands-on activities more than research and reading. The findings have implications for the design of STEM programs guided by project-based learning (PBL) for socioeconomically disadvantaged students and communities.
Descriptors: Educational Legislation, Elementary Secondary Education, Federal Legislation, Student Attitudes, STEM Education, Student Experience, After School Programs, Problem Based Learning, Student Projects, Elementary School Students, Low Income Students, Active Learning
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: Elementary Secondary Education; Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Elementary and Secondary Education Act Title I
Grant or Contract Numbers: 1640228
Author Affiliations: N/A