| Title: |
High School Students' Perspectives on STEM: Importance and Interest. Issue Brief. R2543 |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Joyce Z. Schnieders; Becky L. Bobek; ACT Education Corp. |
| Source: |
ACT Education Corp. 2025. |
| Availability: |
ACT Education Corp. 500 ACT Drive, P.O. Box 168, Iowa City, IA 52243-0168. Tel: 319-337-1270; Web site: http://www.act.org |
| Peer Reviewed: |
N |
| Page Count: |
28 |
| Publication Date: |
2025 |
| Document Type: |
Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires |
| Education Level: |
High Schools; Secondary Education; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: |
High School Students; Student Attitudes; Value Judgment; Student Interests; STEM Education; STEM Careers; Majors (Students); Postsecondary Education; Knowledge Level; Student Characteristics; Racial Differences; Ethnicity; Family Income; Parent Background; Educational Attainment; Place of Residence; Institutional Characteristics; College Bound Students |
| Abstract: |
The STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) workforce is critical for driving innovation and economic growth in the United States. Driven by rapid technological advancements and evolving industry needs, the STEM workforce has also evolved, consisting of more professionals in emerging fields like artificial intelligence. Students' interest in pursuing STEM majors is not fixed; rather, it can evolve significantly over time, particularly during adolescence--a critical period for identity formation and academic decision-making. A growing body of research has identified multiple factors that influence interest in STEM across individual, family, and school levels. Because today's high school students will make up the future workforce, it is critical to learn about their perspectives on STEM. As such, the current study was designed to address several questions related to students' interests in STEM: (1) Are students familiar with the term STEM?; (2) Do students think STEM is important and useful?; (3) Do students agree that schools should emphasize STEM?; (4) What do students think of the STEM education they have received?; and (5) Are students interested in pursuing a STEM-related major in college? If so, what factors are related to such an interest, and how do different factors work together to predict interest in STEM? The answers to these questions can help us better understand students' perspectives on STEM and their interest in STEM-related majors and provide insights into how to better prepare them for the future workforce. |
| Abstractor: |
ERIC |
| Entry Date: |
2026 |
| Accession Number: |
ED677894 |
| Database: |
ERIC |