Session 1D: An Exploration of the Factors that Motivate Gifted and Talented Rural Students to Engage in STEM
Session Number
Session 1D: 2nd Presentation
Advisor(s)
Dr. Adrienne Coleman, IMSA
Location
IN2
Start Date
26-4-2018 9:40 AM
End Date
26-4-2018 10:25 AM
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to examine rural students at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy to identify their motivation to engage in STEM education and investigate the rural STEM divide. Five IMSA students, advised by Dr. Coleman, the Director of Equity/Inclusion at IMSA, conducted this qualitative study. Literature suggests rural students are less likely to attend selective colleges and can lose interest in STEM during the transition from middle to high school. Rural communities face additional obstacles of poorly funded school operations as well as poverty and higher cost of living that impede rural students from engaging in STEM. In order to understand the factors that motivate talented rural students to engage in STEM, this study sought to understand IMSA rural students’ motives in pursuing STEM to inform the development of STEM enrichment programs for URP students. A total of 55 people were interviewed, including rural IMSA students, alumni, and parents of current rural students, who talked about their thoughts on STEM motivation. Additional data is being collected from the IMSA faculty perspective. The majority of respondents attributed their motivation for pursuing STEM to family/teacher influence along with STEM passion and the discovery of knowledge.
Session 1D: An Exploration of the Factors that Motivate Gifted and Talented Rural Students to Engage in STEM
IN2
The purpose of this study is to examine rural students at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy to identify their motivation to engage in STEM education and investigate the rural STEM divide. Five IMSA students, advised by Dr. Coleman, the Director of Equity/Inclusion at IMSA, conducted this qualitative study. Literature suggests rural students are less likely to attend selective colleges and can lose interest in STEM during the transition from middle to high school. Rural communities face additional obstacles of poorly funded school operations as well as poverty and higher cost of living that impede rural students from engaging in STEM. In order to understand the factors that motivate talented rural students to engage in STEM, this study sought to understand IMSA rural students’ motives in pursuing STEM to inform the development of STEM enrichment programs for URP students. A total of 55 people were interviewed, including rural IMSA students, alumni, and parents of current rural students, who talked about their thoughts on STEM motivation. Additional data is being collected from the IMSA faculty perspective. The majority of respondents attributed their motivation for pursuing STEM to family/teacher influence along with STEM passion and the discovery of knowledge.