The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to investigate if there was a difference in students' interest to pursue STEM pathways in a southern Colorado school district, based on if they received STEM education or traditional education at the elementary level. Students in the sixth grade at two junior high schools were given the STEM Career Interest Survey to determine their level of interest in STEM. Survey results from 43 students who attended the STEM-focused elementary school were compared to 64 students who attended a non-STEM elementary school. An independent t-test was conducted assuming unequal variances and found to be non-significant, t(74.791) = -0.727, p = 0.470. The results showed that students who attended a STEM school (M = 162.40, SD = 24.94) had no significant difference in STEM interest than students who attended a traditional school (M = 165.67, SD = 19.38). Although the results indicated non-significance, the results were inconclusive due to the means of the two groups being very similar and the standard deviation being so far apart. More data need to be collected for conclusive results. The implication of the research results provides a foundation for additional research to be conducted on K-5 STEM education and interest in STEM. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]