In our technology-based society, the field of computer science is integral to the economic, scientific, and security-related arenas of the United States. Despite efforts to diversify the domain of computing, most computing professionals are male. Consequently, girls rarely see female role models working in computing. The disparity between male and…

The Academic Intrinsic Motivation Scale (AIMS) measures key components of student intrinsic motivation (IM). We investigate score validity and reliability of a downward extension of the AIMS developed for students in the high school context using a sample of students from the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Through classical test…

In this study, we examined what kind of perfectionistic profiles (i.e., different patterns of perfectionistic strivings and concerns) can be identified among general upper-secondary school students, how stable those profiles are over the school year, and how they are connected with students' motivation (i.e., achievement goal orientations). Four…

Even prior to the pandemic, educators sometimes faced challenges in their efforts to keep students engaged in schoolwork. Remote learning during the pandemic increased concerns about student engagement and motivation, especially given that this type of instruction was unfamiliar to many students and teachers, required access to reliable…

The purpose of this study was to seek to understand and describe current educators' perceptions of building relationships in education. Thirty-five K-12 educators completed reflective writing responses as part of this phenomenological study. The thematic analysis constructed four themes: (a) "students are motivated to learn when strong…

While it is well established that positive peer relationships lead to positive outcomes, little is known about the mediating role of school motivation on the association between perceived peer support and school achievement among middle grades students. Even less is known about the effect of gender on this mediation. The current study examined…

In this dissertation study, I aimed to 1) investigate gender patterns in students' career aspirations, in both STEM and non-STEM fields, and 2) identify factors contributing to persistent gender differences within specific STEM disciplines. Drawing on Gottfredson's (1983) model of circumscription and compromise, I examined gender patterns and…

This study was on the development and integration of digital games for mental health education in secondary schools. Mental health challenges are becoming common among the youthful population due to substance and drug abuse and depression. A team of 5 researchers and 10 secondary school teachers jointly designed a digital game for teaching and…

The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (2018) refers to a demand of an "upskilled workforce," one that requires employees to have a deeper knowledge of rapidly changing technology and a comprehensive set of teamwork, collaboration, and leadership skills than in the past - all competencies that require specialized…

Many factors in teaching chemistry influence students' soft skills and learning motivation. An attractive model is important in determining students' success in chemistry learning. This research aims to determine the level of soft skill abilities and students' learning motivation in implementing chemoentrepreneurship through project-based…

Background: Utility-value interventions have been shown to promote students' achievement and motivation in mathematics through encouraging them to identify connections between course content and their real lives. To extend the benefits of these interventions, additional research is necessary to test their efficacy in diverse high school contexts,…

As artificial intelligence (AI) plays a more prominent role in our everyday lives, it becomes increasingly important to introduce basic AI concepts to K-12 students. Currently, most K-12 AI research focuses on introducing fundamental AI concepts using pure virtual platforms like webpages or software. However, robots, as helpful and popular tools…

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) put forth an aspiring call for science educators to enact instructional experiences that enable all students to participate in the real-world practices of science. To achieve this, teachers need to create classroom environments that will attract all students to science learning and support and sustain…

Mississippi middle schools frequently fail to improve the intellectual capacity of students who struggle in mathematics. The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative non-experimental research design was to investigate the impact of math academic interventions on rural Mississippi middle school mathematics students in grades six through…

This quantitative study was conducted to examine if teacher reflective practices had an impact on student engagement, teacher-student relationships, and student engagement. Survey data were collected from 356 middle school teachers and students. Data concluded no significant relationships among the reflective practices of teachers, student…