Baseline Research Summary

STEM ON LINE MODULE: STEM MOVING ON STEM Baseline research

Improving STEM Awareness in Schools and Colleges project
Careers company, Babcock and Centre for Science Education are conducting surveys over 3 years in 6 ‘ test bed ‘ schools
This presentation summarises data from the first survey, 2008/09, published Jan 2010
All survey returns were anonymous , with tailored questionnaires for each group

The Surveys
Who was surveyed?
Yrs 9,10,11
Parents and carers
Careers practitioners and STEM Teachers
The purpose of survey was to measure the potential impact of project activities:
Development of STEM curriculum careers related resources
CPD for teachers
IAG professional support resources
An Economic Wellbeing resource
Work placements, mentors and work experience resources

STUDENTS
3,729 respondents were evenly spread across year groups and roughly equal in gender terms
Response rate was 71%
Students rated themselves on:
Personal skills and capabilities
Enjoyment of subjects
Views on STEM subjects
Progression in STEM
Choices in STEM careers

Student responses
Students view themselves as good team workers and creative.
Girls have a less positive self image than boys
Students enjoy PE, art, English and science subjects most at school.
Enjoyment of STEM subjects varies : 32% enjoy ICT, 26% maths, 7% engineering
Preferences fall within gender lines :
girls like food tech, art, English
boys like maths, science, ICT, engineering

What about stem?
Students more positive towards science and maths than technology & engineering
Technology & engineering perceived as being more suitable for boys
Responses towards engineering included lots of ‘ don ’ t knows ’ implying a lack of information/understanding
50% want to continue to study science; maths the most popular and engineering the least
Apart from Biology, more boys than girls want to continue in STEM.
Interest in further study of STEM declines between years 9 and 11

STEM CAREERS
Between 40% and 50% of students agree that STEM careers are highly paid, enjoyable, have prospects and need qualifications
29% indicate that STEM careers were no different to others and 20% think they are ‘ for boys ’
15% think STEM careers are ‘ easy ’
49-34% of ‘ don ’ t knows ’ implies a lack of knowledge about STEM careers. 30% want to know more
Internet, role models, parents and teachers are the most influential sources of IAG

Parent/carer survey
There were 880 parent respondents, mostly mothers, evenly distributed across year groups. Response rate was 19%
95% want their child to stay in learning post 16
Technology perceived as more useful than separate science subjects
.

Parents/carers & stem careers
Parents are positive about STEM careers, with gender differences, e.g. fathers more positive about engineering than mothers.
Virtually no parents said they would discourage their child from considering STEM careers, but most feel they need more information. Fathers are most confident in discussing STEM careers with their child
Parents perceive the 3 most useful STEM careers activities as work experience, STEM-related activity days, and visits to STEM employers
Few have seen anything in the media promoting STEM careers

Teacher/career professionals survey
Total of 98 responses.
47% of respondents teach combined science. 25% teach one of biology, chemistry, or technology. Physics is taught by 7%, 21% teach maths and 5% teach engineering.
Most teach years 8-11 . 78% teach 4 year groups or more, indicating the sustained impact a teacher can have.
46% had STEM related careers before teaching (but not always related to the subject they now teach)
42% have 11 years or more teaching experience

Teachers/careers professionals and stem
Teachers think that ‘ focussed hard workers ’ are successful in STEM and those less so had ‘ personal, support, or learning difficulties ’
11% of respondents are actively involved in placing students in work experience, placements or tasters
49% say students explored STEM careers beyond the classroom, but mostly this was via work experience . Problem solving, Taster days and FE/HE visits were the next most mentioned
31% use STEM careers resources - mostly posters, websites and the Connexions service

Barriers to stem
Teachers see main barrier to participation in STEM as the male domination of these subjects, especially in engineering and science, but not so much in technology and maths
Teachers say that the limited exposure students get in school to the range of jobs and careers related to STEM subjects, and their subsequently poor understanding of the range of careers available are also barriers to participation in these subjects.

conclusions
Boost STEM participation by engaging more girls
Engineering needs to be a priority, especially for girls
Work experience is very influential in turning young people on to STEM
Informing parents about STEM opportunities is very important.
Students need more exposure to STEM careers whilst at school
More teachers should be involved in placements and work experience, especially those who have worked in STEM careers prior to teaching.

Baseline Research Summary

by GrahamAttwell on May 25, 2011

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