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Across the Urban Divide: STEM Pipeline Engagement among Nonmetropolitan Students

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Abstract

Previous research highlights STEM educational inequities within various demographic groupings. However, little research explores the role of geography in STEM talent development. The present study assesses interest in and progression toward postsecondary STEM credentials among nonmetropolitan high school students (including rural areas and small towns) in the USA. Utilizing a national longitudinal dataset, the study finds nonmetropolitan high school students to be interested in STEM careers at rates equal to or greater than metropolitan students. However, our findings suggest that there are unique barriers on route to college for nonmetropolitan students. In general, geography alone does not account for differences in the educational pathways of nonmetropolitan students—in many cases, K-12 school characteristics play a more important explanatory role. The results of the present study may be useful in further understanding geographic inequity and identifying approaches to facilitate college degree attainment for the significant number of rural and small town students who are interested in a STEM career field.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The University of Georgia Graduate School, 210 S. Jackson Street, Athens, GA, 30602, USA

    Andrew Crain

  2. The Institute of Higher Education, The University of Georgia, Meigs Hall, Athens, GA, 30602, USA

    Karen Webber

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Appendix

Appendix

National ED SMART Grant Eligible Majors

Prior to the implementation of the National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant program, the Secretary of Education designated the eligible fields of study. The listing below reflects eligible SMART Grant disciplines as of 2008-09, which were used as the defining parameters of STEM disciplines within this study. This appendix was reprinted from Appendix B of the U.S. Department of Education’s (2011) Academic Competitiveness and National SMART Grant Programs: 2006–07 Through 2008–09 documentation, which was last retrieved by the authors on February 19, 2021 at the following URL: https://www2.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/highered/smart-grant/acg-smart-grant-report-year-third-final.pdf.

Computer Science:

The branch of knowledge or study of computers, including such fields of knowledge or study as computer hardware, computer software, computer engineering, information systems, and robotics.

Associated NCES CIP CODES: 11.xxxx

Engineering:

The science by which the properties of matter and the sources of energy in nature are made useful to humanity in structures, machines, and products, as in the construction of engines, bridges, buildings, mines, and chemical plants, including such fields of knowledge or study as aeronautical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, materials engineering, manufacturing engineering, and mechanical engineering.

Associated NCES CIP CODES: 14.xxxx

Foreign Language:

Instructional programs that focus on foreign languages and literatures, the humanistic and scientific study of linguistics, and the provision of professional interpretation and translation services.

Associated NCES CIP CODES: 16.xxxx

Life Sciences:

The branch of knowledge or study of living things, including such fields of knowledge or study as biology, biochemistry, biophysics, microbiology, genetics, physiology, botany, zoology, ecology, and behavioral biology, except that the term does not encompass the health professions. This category also includes agriculture, agricultural operations, and related sciences.

Associated NCES CIP CODES: 26.xxxx; 01.xxxx

Natural Resources and Conservation:

Instructional programs that focus on the various natural resources and conservation fields and prepare individuals for related occupations.

Associated NCES CIP CODES: 03.xxxx

Psychology:

Instructional programs that focus on the scientific study of the behavior of individuals, independently or collectively, and the physical and environmental bases of mental, emotional, and neurological activity.

Associated NCES CIP CODES: 42.xxxx

Mathematics:

The branch of knowledge or study of numbers and the systematic treatment of magnitude, relationships between figures and forms, and relations between quantities expressed symbolically, including such fields of knowledge or study as statistics, applied mathematics, and operations research.

Associated NCES CIP CODES: 27.xxxx

Physical Sciences:

The branch of knowledge or study of the material universe, including such fields of knowledge or study as astronomy, atmospheric sciences, chemistry, earth sciences, ocean sciences, physics, and planetary sciences.

Associated NCES CIP CODES: 40.xxxx

Technology:

The application of mechanical or scientific knowledge, for example, applied science.

Related NCES CIP CODES: 41.xxxx; 29.xxxx 15.xxxx

Several Multidisciplinary Studies are also considered eligible for National SMART Grants.

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Crain, A., Webber, K. Across the Urban Divide: STEM Pipeline Engagement among Nonmetropolitan Students. Journal for STEM Educ Res 4, 138–172 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41979-020-00046-8

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