Problematizing Perceptions of STEM Potential: Differences by Cognitive Disability Status in High School and Postsecondary Educational Outcomes

The STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) potential of youth with cognitive disabilities is often dismissed through problematic perceptions of STEM ability as natural and of youth with cognitive disabilities as unable. National data on more than 15,000 adolescents from the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 first suggest that, among youth with disabilities, youth with medicated attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have the highest levels of STEM achievement, and youth with learning or intellectual disabilities typically have the lowest. Undergraduates with medicated ADHD or autism appear to be more likely to major in STEM than youth without cognitive disabilities, and youth with autism have the most positive STEM attitudes. Finally, results suggest that high school STEM achievement is more salient for college enrollment than STEM-positive attitudes across youth with most disability types, whereas attitudes are more salient than achievement for choosing a STEM major.

The Effects of Blended Learning on STEM Achievement of Elementary School Students

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs serving students from low socioeconomic areas are understudied in the literature. More research studies need to be conducted to make informed instructional decisions for students who may be at a disadvantage compared to their peers from higher socioeconomic areas. The purpose of this research study was to determine the effects of traditional science instruction and blended learning on STEM achievement of elementary school students from low socioeconomic areas. Third, fourth and fifth grade students (N = 129) from a low-socioeconomic school were randomly assigned to receive traditional science instruction or a blended learning science curriculum approach. The science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) achievement scores were analyzed by conducting a one-way two-group Multiple Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) implemented in R statistical computing platform (R Core Team, 2018). The results indicated that the teaching method had a statistically significant effect on the linear combination of the science, technology, mathematics and engineering scores (F(4,124) = 80.27, p < .0001, Pillai’s Trace = .721, partial η2 = .721), in favor of the blended learning approach.

A STEM Achievement Motivation Program: Perspectives of Elementary School Students

Researchers explored the perspectives of third-grade students attending a 6-week science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) achievement motivation pilot program at a university’s early childhood development center serving a Hispanic population. Researchers obtained data from interviews, observations, and a focus group. Four major themes emerged from this phenomenological qualitative investigation. Findings support the implementation by school counselors of STEM achievement motivation programs with young students, who in this study reported an understanding of concepts presented and their application to math and science projects. The findings have implications for counselors employed in school settings.