ERIC Number: EJ1328163
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022-Mar
Pages: 21
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0957 7572
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Primary School Students' Interests in STEM Careers: How Conceptions of STEM Professionals and Gender Moderation Influence
So, Winnie Wing Mui; Chen, Yu; Chow, Stephen Cheuk Fai
International Journal of Technology and Design Education, v32 n1 p33-53 Mar 2022
This study assessed elementary school students' conceptions of STEM professions and its potential influence on STEM career interest, as well as the moderation effect of gender on the relationships between conceptions of STEM professionals and career interest in STEM. A total of 216 grade 3 through 5 students in Hong Kong participated in this study. They were asked to draw images of professionals in specific STEM areas, and complete questionnaires about their conceptions of STEM professionals and interests in STEM careers. Drawings were analyzed using graphic content analysis, and survey data were analyzed using moderated hierarchical regression analysis. Analysis of drawings showed that the students had inadequate understanding of engineers or scientists in the air, food, and water area. Boys were more likely to hold gender-related stereotypes about STEM professionals than girls. Analysis of survey data revealed that students' views about STEM career implications, STEM professionals' personal aptitudes, and social relations significantly predicted their STEM career interest. Gender significantly moderated the association of Social relations and Interest, meaning that compared to boys, girls might express higher STEM career interest when they more strongly believed that STEM professionals are able to build good social relationships with others. This study has implications for the design and implementation of pertinent lessons on STEM for elementary schools.
Descriptors: Elementary School Students, Science Interests, Science Careers, STEM Education, Foreign Countries, Freehand Drawing, Scientists, Sex Stereotypes, Gender Differences
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Hong Kong
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A