ERIC Number: EJ1303665
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1557-5284
EISSN: N/A
Factors Predicting Out-of-Class Participation for Underrepresented Groups in STEM
Simmons, Denise R.; Chau, Anh D.
Journal of STEM Education: Innovations and Research, v22 n1 p52-61 Jan-Mar 2021
Undergraduate student participation in out-of-class activities yields a range of documented benefits and represents an area of study that can inform efforts to increase persistence in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) majors, particularly for underrepresented groups. This study was designed to explore the impact of selected engagement and demographic factors on participation in out-of-class activities by undergraduate students pursuing STEM degrees. We surveyed undergraduate 1,318 undergraduate STEM students from multiple institutions across the United States, with a focus on institutions that awarded STEM degrees to a relatively high number of underrepresented students. Logistic regression was used to build a prediction model of out-of-class activity participation using achievement striving, peer interaction, high school participation profile, and generation in college. There were significant interaction effects involving the level of high school participation, generation in college, and major valuing with race/ethnicity and gender. The model suggests an actionable plan to improve undergraduate STEM student participation in out-of-class activities.
Descriptors: Predictor Variables, Student Participation, Disproportionate Representation, STEM Education, Undergraduate Students, Extracurricular Activities, Regression (Statistics), Learner Engagement, Gender Differences, Racial Differences
Institute for STEM Education and Research. P.O. Box 4001, Auburn, AL 36831. Tel: 334-844-3360; Web site: http://www.jstem.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: 1351156; 1911881