Session Number

Session 1B: 3rd Presentation

Advisor(s)

Adrienne Coleman, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy

Location

Academic Pit

Start Date

28-4-2017 8:30 AM

End Date

28-4-2017 9:45 AM

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine rural Presenters at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy to identify their motivation to engage in STEM education. Dr. Adrienne Coleman, the Multicultural Education Specialist at IMSA, was the primacy researcher, along with five IMSA Presenters, who conducted a qualitative study. According to research, rural Presenters are less likely to attend selective colleges and can lose interest in STEM during the transition from middle to high school. Also, rural communities face the additional obstacles of poorly funded school operations, as well as poverty, higher cost of living, geographic remoteness, and drug use and violence. In order to entice talented youth to take over hard-to-fill jobs in these communities, this study sought to use IMSA rural Presenters' motives in pursuing STEM to inform the development of STEM enrichment programs for URP Presenters. Besides gathering Presenter perspectives in focus groups, we interviewed IMSA alumni and parents of rural origins about their thoughts on STEM motivation and achievement. By learning about factors that push disadvantaged Presenters to engage in math and science, we can increase inclusivity and enhance URP Presenters' motivation at IMSA, as well as at National Consortium of Specialized STEM Schools (NCSSS) affiliates.

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Apr 28th, 8:30 AM Apr 28th, 9:45 AM

Session 1B: An Exploration of the Factors that Motivate Gifted and Talented Students from Underrepresented Populations to Engage in STEM

Academic Pit

The purpose of this study is to examine rural Presenters at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy to identify their motivation to engage in STEM education. Dr. Adrienne Coleman, the Multicultural Education Specialist at IMSA, was the primacy researcher, along with five IMSA Presenters, who conducted a qualitative study. According to research, rural Presenters are less likely to attend selective colleges and can lose interest in STEM during the transition from middle to high school. Also, rural communities face the additional obstacles of poorly funded school operations, as well as poverty, higher cost of living, geographic remoteness, and drug use and violence. In order to entice talented youth to take over hard-to-fill jobs in these communities, this study sought to use IMSA rural Presenters' motives in pursuing STEM to inform the development of STEM enrichment programs for URP Presenters. Besides gathering Presenter perspectives in focus groups, we interviewed IMSA alumni and parents of rural origins about their thoughts on STEM motivation and achievement. By learning about factors that push disadvantaged Presenters to engage in math and science, we can increase inclusivity and enhance URP Presenters' motivation at IMSA, as well as at National Consortium of Specialized STEM Schools (NCSSS) affiliates.

 

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