Understanding STEM Switching Dynamics

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Questions and Answers

What is a common misconception about STEM fields?

STEM fields are fully integrated and function as a single discipline. (correct)

STEM fields are distinct but still interdependent.

STEM describes only the applied sciences.

Technology is sometimes seen as separate from STEM disciplines.

Which statement best describes the relationship between basic and applied sciences in STEM?

Applied sciences do not utilize principles from basic sciences.

Applied sciences are purely theoretical and do not involve practical applications.

Basic sciences inform and influence applied sciences. (correct)

Basic sciences develop independently of applied sciences.

What role does technology play within STEM disciplines?

Technology has no relevance outside of computer science.

Technology is considered a standalone field in STEM.

Technology is only applicable to engineering fields.

Technology often integrates and supports other STEM disciplines. (correct)

In higher education, how are STEM disciplines typically perceived?

STEM is treated as separate from non-STEM disciplines. Signup and view all the answers

Which field of study primarily focuses on the interaction of biology, chemistry, and physics?

Materials Science and Engineering Signup and view all the answers

How does computational biology contribute to STEM?

By using computers and mathematical models to analyze molecular structures. Signup and view all the answers

What example illustrates the interdependence of STEM fields?

Chemical engineering requires understanding of both biology and physics. Signup and view all the answers

What factor is directly related to students' retention in STEM majors?

Faculty pedagogy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors was NOT found to significantly affect students' decisions to leave STEM fields?

Class size Signup and view all the answers

Which group of students is highlighted as leaving STEM fields at higher rates than others?

Women and racial/ethnic minority students Signup and view all the answers

What is a common attempt made to improve retention in STEM majors?

Implementing academic support programs Signup and view all the answers

What perspective is suggested to understand STEM students' decisions to switch majors?

Identity lens Signup and view all the answers

Which factor was NOT found to contribute to students' decisions to switch out of STEM majors?

High competition among students Signup and view all the answers

Research shows that students’ ethnicity was determined to be what in relation to their intention to drop out of STEM majors?

Not a significant predictor Signup and view all the answers

What experience is suggested as vital to understanding the phenomenon of students switching out of STEM majors?

Experiences and perceptions during college Signup and view all the answers

What was a common characteristic shared by both switchers and non-switchers as indicated by the research?

Similarities in abilities and motivations Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a non-STEM major from a STEM major in this investigation?

Non-STEM majors require less than three STEM courses Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a contextual factor in STEM education?

Curriculum difficulty Signup and view all the answers

What is true about students in STEM-adjacent majors regarding their STEM education?

They often learn STEM content to apply it to their majors Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of the study of STEM switchers as described?

To explore the relationship between identity and major switching in college students Signup and view all the answers

How do STEM switchers characterize their understanding of STEM?

In terms of their interrelation within career choices Signup and view all the answers

What aspect has not been effectively covered in previous research on STEM switching?

The characterization of STEM fields by switchers Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'STEM switchers' specifically refer to?

Students leaving STEM majors for non-STEM fields Signup and view all the answers

Why is the grouping of STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) often questioned?

There is little agreement on the definition and rationale for their grouping Signup and view all the answers

How do high school students' perceptions of STEM influence their academic choices?

They may deter students from pursuing STEM fields Signup and view all the answers

What contributes to the understanding of why students switch from STEM to non-STEM majors?

The way students construct their identities during college Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary reason why students switch out of their initial STEM majors?

Issues with instructional delivery Signup and view all the answers

Why is the switching from STEM majors a concerning issue?

Labor shortages in some STEM industries Signup and view all the answers

What can understanding STEM switchers help elucidate?

The phenomenon of STEM switching Signup and view all the answers

What has contributed to the increase in undergraduate students enrolled in STEM disciplines?

Overall growth of STEM occupations Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates students who switch from one STEM field to another?

Development of a specific interest from elective courses Signup and view all the answers

What demographic trend is observed among students switching majors in STEM?

A larger proportion switch compared to other majors Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential benefit of investigating where STEM switchers go?

Understanding students' motivations and needs Signup and view all the answers

Which framework emphasizes experiences that either encourage or discourage individuals from engaging with science?

Interactionist framework Signup and view all the answers

What factor is considered crucial in understanding a student's persistence in STEM fields?

Identity facets such as competence and performance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the concept of STEM identity as expanded upon in recent research?

A multifaceted concept informed by recognition, competence, performance, and interests Signup and view all the answers

What role does recognition play in shaping a student's science identity?

It involves both self-recognition and acknowledgment from others Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

STEM Switching Experiences

A larger proportion of students leave their initial STEM majors than other disciplines.
Nearly 40% of freshmen intend to major in STEM.
The number of undergraduate STEM students has increased in recent years.
STEM occupations have above-average growth compared to other sectors.
Labor shortages exist in some STEM industries.

STEM Switching Studies

Studies have investigated various factors for STEM switching.
A key unanswered question in previous research is the destination of students and their reasons for choosing their new majors.
Students may switch because of issues with instructional delivery or develop a specific interest in related fields from elective courses.

STEM as an Interdependent Field

STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) are commonly perceived as distinct, though interdependent.
Fields like Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Sciences, Agriculture, Environmental Sciences, Forensic Sciences, and Computer Science/Engineering are interdependent by sharing concepts and principles.
Examples where different fields interact, such as pH in biology using logarithmic scales in physics/mathematics, and materials science using principles of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics and aided by technology, illustrate this.

Student STEM Experiences

Concerns about college students switching out of STEM fields are long-standing.
A previous study analyzed 23 factors associated with student switching; top four included: loss of interest, better non-STEM options, poor teaching, and overwhelming curriculum.
Other factors include faculty pedagogy, initial negative experiences in introductory courses, and academic interactions with faculty, peers, and university structure (advising/counseling).

Student STEM Identity

Identity is a key factor in studying student retention and persistence in STEM fields
Competence, performance, and recognition are key elements of STEM identity.
Experiences in STEM fields have a significant influence on STEM identity.
Environmental influences (peers, friends, family) can affect the perception of STEM majors.

Research Methodology

The study took place at a 4-year public university in the US during 2018-2019.
Participants included students from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
Students' background information, initial majors, semester of switching, final major, gender, and ethnicity were recorded for each.
Semi-structured interviews with 23 participants were conducted.
Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Student Switching Results

Many students had positive STEM experiences in high school, leading to their decision to pursue a STEM major.
Several students experienced challenges in STEM courses that affected their perceptions of STEM ability and competence, negatively influencing their STEM identity and causing them to switch majors.
For some, switching was part of a broader identity development process, including career goals, family expectations, and their interpretation of STEM fields.

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Description

Explore the factors influencing students' decisions to switch STEM majors, and gain insight into their new academic pathways. This quiz delves into the growth of STEM fields and the interdependence of various disciplines within Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.