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Examining the Impact of a 2-Day Scientific Conference on High School Students’ Interest in STEM and Confidence in Attending University

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Abstract

This research examines the impact of a 2-day scientific conference on high school students’ confidence in attending university and interest in postsecondary science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs. Specifically, this study investigates (1) whether exposure to STEM in grades 10 and 11 significantly increases self-reported confidence in attending university; (2) whether conference participation increases students’ interest in pursuing STEM programs; and (3) whether the impact of the conference on confidence and interest may differ for first-generation students, female students, and grade 10 versus grade 11 students. One hundred and eighty-four high school students in Ontario Canada (28.3% male) completed a self-report survey examining perceptions of the conference, self-confidence in attending university, and interest in STEM. Results demonstrated that students’ confidence in attending university increased after participating in the conference and that the majority of students reported that the conference increased their interest in science and math. No sex or grade differences emerged, although there were trend-level associations regarding confidence levels and interest in STEM for first-generation students relative to their cohort. University-based STEM initiatives may be an effective way to increase high school students’ interest in the sciences and promote student enrolment in postsecondary STEM programs.

Résumé

Cette recherche analyse l’impact d’une conférence scientifique de deux jours sur la confiance des élèves du secondaire devant la perspective d’étudier à l’université et leur intérêt pour les programmes postsecondaires en sciences, en technologies, en ingénierie et en mathématiques (STEM). Plus précisément, cette étude vise à déterminer : (1) si l'exposition aux STEM en 10e et en 11e années augmente de façon significative le niveau de confiance exprimé par les étudiants quant à la possibilité de fréquenter l'université, (2) si la participation à une conférence accroît l’intérêt des étudiants à poursuivre des programmes STEM, et (3) si l'impact de la conférence sur la confiance et l'intérêt varie selon le sexe, le fait qu’il s’agisse d’élèves de première génération, ou le fait qu’ils soient en 10e ou en 11e année au moment de la conférence. Cent quatre-vingt-quatre élèves du secondaire en Ontario, au Canada, (dont 28,3% de sexe masculin) ont répondu à un sondage portant sur leur perception de la conférence, leur confiance en eux quant à la perspective de fréquenter l'université et leur intérêt pour les STEM. Les résultats montrent que la confiance des étudiants à l’idée de l’université s’est accrue après avoir participé à la conférence, et la majorité des étudiants ont indiqué que la conférence avait accru leur intérêt pour les sciences et les mathématiques. Aucune différence de sexe ou de niveau n'émerge des résultats, mais on remarque certaines tendances associatives en ce qui concerne les niveaux de confiance et l'intérêt pour les STEM chez les élèves de première génération comparativement à leur cohorte. Les initiatives de type STEM dans les universités peuvent être un moyen efficace pour stimuler l’intérêt des étudiants du secondaire pour les sciences et promouvoir l’inscription des étudiants dans les programmes STEM postsecondaires.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, Ontario, L2S 3A1, Canada

    Caitlyn Gallant & Dawn Good

  2. Faculty of Mathematics & Science, Brock University, St. Catharines, Canada

    Poling Bork & Christene Carpenter-Cleland

  3. Centre for Neuroscience, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, L2S 3A1, Canada

    Dawn Good

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  1. Caitlyn Gallant
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  2. Poling Bork
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  3. Christene Carpenter-Cleland
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  4. Dawn Good
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Correspondence to Caitlyn Gallant.

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Gallant, C., Bork, P., Carpenter-Cleland, C. et al. Examining the Impact of a 2-Day Scientific Conference on High School Students’ Interest in STEM and Confidence in Attending University. Can. J. Sci. Math. Techn. Educ. 20, 376–387 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42330-020-00086-7

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