How do scientific and technical role models effect STEM career motivation?
What’s the difference between the question, “What do you want to do when you grow up?” and “What do you want to be when you grow up?” If you pose these questions to young students in elementary or middle grades, does the answer vary depending on ethnicity or gender, even though it shouldn’t?
I want to help build rockets, I want to be a doctor for elephants, I want to invent a way for my disabled sibling to move through the world as easily as I do...these answers should not only occur to young students (and they can!) – they should also occur to girls and traditionally underrepresented groups who don’t normally think of themselves in roles like this, or as belonging with teams that solve the big, important problems that society faces.
Recently, the team behind Couragion, in partnership with Duncan Davis-Hall and Chelsea Magin at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, published a detailed and comprehensive study exploring the persistent underrepresentation of female students and specific ethnic groups in STEM, and clearly showing the correlation between exposure to scientific role models of similar gender and ethnicity and the intent to pursue a STEM career for middle school students. The study also showed ‘...increased intent, confidence, motivation, and enjoyment in middle school students related to STEM careers. Students also reported confidence in STEM career success and motivation to apply themselves academically (Davis-Hall, D., Farrelly, L., Risteff, M. et al. Evaluating How Exposure to Scientific Role Models and Work-Based Microbadging Influences STEM Career Mindsets in Underrepresented Groups. Biomed Eng Education 2023)’. Though this study focuses on middle school students, elementary students can also benefit from work-based and career-connected learning.
Exposure to scientific and technical role models has a profound impact on STEM career motivation in underrepresented groups, such as women and minorities. Research shows that representation matters, and seeing individuals who look like them in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields can inspire and encourage underrepresented groups to pursue careers in these areas. Studies have found that having a role model in STEM can increase students' interest in the subject and improve their motivation to learn. For underrepresented groups, seeing someone who shares similar experiences and challenges can also help to dispel stereotypes and biases that may discourage them from pursuing STEM careers.
By interacting with Couragion, students saw role models that they identified with, in careers that they may not have known existed, and may not have thought were open to them, such as Robotics and Computer Vision Engineer, Biomedical Engineer, Aviation Planner, Climate Dynamics Researcher, Cancer Researcher and many more. Scientific role models provide mentorship and support, which is crucial for underrepresented groups who may not have the same access to resources and networks as their peers. Having a mentor who can guide students through the challenges and uncertainties of a STEM career can make all the difference in helping students to persevere and achieve their goals. The benefits of having scientific and technical role models extend beyond just individuals. The presence of diverse role models in STEM can also create a more inclusive culture within the field, which can make it more welcoming for underrepresented groups. This helps to address the underrepresentation of women and minorities in STEM and create a more diverse and equitable workplace.
Couragion is an easy, accessible and inclusive way for educators to successfully integrate work-based learning into their classroom. It is an interactive, student-led experience, providing insight into the working lives of STEM professionals. Laying the foundation of an occupational identity and creating a pathway for every student to follow all the way to success goes a long way toward narrowing the representation gap in STEM fields. Exposure to scientific and technical role models is a critical factor in increasing STEM career motivation among underrepresented groups. Providing students with opportunities to meet and interact with diverse scientists can inspire and encourage them to pursue careers in STEM and help to create a more inclusive and diverse culture within the field.
Read the study here and learn more about Couragion on our website. Have questions about the app? Email us at hello@couragion.com, we look forward to hearing from you!