This study examines perseverance, the ability to achieve goals, and grit, the long-term completion of goals and tasks. Educators have seen a decline in students' ability to persist through daily challenges. Instilling this quality in students early on can help them set and achieve short-and long-term goals, close academic gaps, sustain accountability, and be successful in future endeavors. Research supports the notion that grit is teachable. This study tested the grit level of students ages 9 thru 11 across four fourth grade classrooms in a rural school located in South Carolina. By using Duckworth's Grit assessment, observing how students persisted in a challenging STEM task, and through interviews discussing the mindset students have towards persistence. The data supports that students who employ positive feelings, strategies, and goals tend to persevere more often than those who exhibit negative outlooks/self-doubt and uncertainty. Quantitative findings imply that students' desire to please themselves occurs more often than being competitive or the desire to please others. The researcher makes recommendations for future research of elementary students' level of perseverance to fill a gap in the educational field. [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.]