Abstract
Preparing middle school students in STEM for their transition to high school and ultimately for post-secondary endeavors requires early exposure to STEM subjects. This early exposure not only builds a foundation for the ever-changing skills that are needed for the workforce, but also boosts student achievement and test scores (STEM Education Works, 2021). The MUREP project focuses on increasing the number of underrepresented minority students interested in STEM fields. The purpose of this study is to examine underrepresented minority middle school students’ attitudes toward STEM and their expressed interest in STEM post-secondary subjects and careers after participation in the MUREP project. The study employed a quantitative survey research design. The sample of the study was comprised of 418 middle school 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. The data of the current study were collected using the Middle and High School (6-12th) survey. The results of the study indicate over 50% of the students expressed a positive attitude and interest in the STEM subjects. Many of the students also showed interest in continuing their STEM education and pursuing post-secondary STEM careers. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of the students expressed interest in specifically identified STEM post-secondary careers and subjects.
Recommended Citation
Respress, T., Johnson, O., Boyd, L., & Roberts, T. (2023). Early Exposure/Long-Term Gains: Encouraging Underrepresented Middle School Students to Pursue STEM Careers. The Journal of the Research Association of Minority Professors, 25(2). Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.pvamu.edu/jramp/vol25/iss2/2
Included in
Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons, Elementary Education Commons, Engineering Commons, Science and Mathematics Education Commons