It’s my choice – women in STEM studies, Doris Elster
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IT’S MY CHOICE!WOMEN IN STEM STUDIES
SCIENTIX CONFERENCE, OCTOBER 26TH, 2014
Doris Elster
Institute of Biology Education
University of Bremen, Germany
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European Project IRISEU 7th Framework Programme – Science in Society Grant Agreement No.: 230043
Coordinated by the University of Oslo
Partners in 5 European countries: Norway, UK, Italy, Demark, Slovenia
Associated partners: Germany, Austria
http://iris.p-7.org/about-iris/
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The need of a greater STEM workforce• STEM is an important
sector for economic growth in European countries (EU, 2010).
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The need of a greater STEM workforce• STEM is an important
sector for economic growth in European countries (EU, 2010).
• Shortage of STEM-educated personnel in Europe and most Western countries
• There is a need for greater participation of women in STEM (EU, 2004, 2008; OECD, 2008).
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IRIS questions On what priorities, values
and experiences do young people base their educational choice?
What are the success factors for recruiting more female students to STEM?
Why do (some) students opt out of STEM education?
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Eccles et al’s expectancy-value model
Expectation of success
Subjective valueInterest - enjoyment valueAttainment valueUtility valueRelative cost
STUDY CHOICE
Eccles & Wigfield 2002
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IRIS questionnaire Electronic questionnaire (65
items; 5-pt-Likert) Target population: first-year
students within 8 STEM disciplines defined through the ISCED Classification:
Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering (mechanical, electronics, computer science)
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IRIS in Germany and Austria Germany: N = 2236
Male: 58%, female 42%
Austria: N = 1344Male: 50%, female 50%
IRIS questionnaire survey (65+15 national items)
Interview study with 18 female students (biology) at the beginning and at the end of the 1st study year
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IRIS in Germany and Austriao school science
experiences and study choice,
o important third persons and study choice,
o students’ first-year experiences
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School experiences and study choiceHow important were school experiences for choosing your course?
(% of agree and strong agree; AT = Austria; Ger = Germany)
0 20 40 60 80 100
Your interest in the subject
Your previous attainment in related subjects
Experiments and laboratories
Field work and excursions
Lessons showing the relevance of your subject to society
Lessons showing practical applications
Using mathematics in lessons
Clear feedback on whether you got the right answer
AT - Female
AT - Male
Ger - Female
Ger - Male
Secondary school is crucial in choosing a STEM study. interest, previous attainment, practical applications, relevance for society.
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Choice process: importance of key personsHow important were the following persons in choosing your course?
(% of agree and strong agree; AT = Austria; Ger = Germany)
Key persons are good teachers. For female students family and friends are more important than for males.
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HOW DO THE STUDENTS EXPERIENCE THE SITUATION AFTER THE 1ST STUDY YEAR?
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Expectation of success
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Expectancy of success
Interest in the subject
Utility value
Attainment value
Relative cost
AT - female
AT - male
Ger - female
Ger - male
(% of agree and strong agree; AT = Austria; Ger = Germany)
Expectancy of success: I am confident that I am good enough at the subjects in this course.
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Interest and enjoyment
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Expectancy of success
Interest in the subject
Utility value
Attainment value
Relative cost
AT - female
AT - male
Ger - female
Ger - male
(% of agree and strong agree; AT = Austria; Ger = Germany)
Interest enjoyment value: How interest is the content of the course?
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The overall experience of being a student in this programme
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Expectancy of success
Interest in the subject
Utility value
Attainment value
Relative cost
AT - female
AT - male
Ger - female
Ger - male
(% of agree and strong agree; AT = Austria; Ger = Germany)
Utility value: I can see the relevance for what I learn.
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Identity
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Expectancy of success
Interest in the subject
Utility value
Attainment value
Relative cost
AT - female
AT - male
Ger - female
Ger - male
(% of agree and strong agree; AT = Austria; Ger = Germany)
Attainment value: I feel that the course fits the person that I am.
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Cost
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Expectancy of success
Interest in the subject
Utility value
Attainment value
Relative cost
AT - female
AT - male
Ger - female
Ger - male
(% of agree to “Better than expected”; AT = Austria; Ger = Germany)
Relative cost: The effort you have to spend on your study.
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Social: “Your social relationship with your fellow students.”(% of “Better than expected” 3-point-Likert scale; AT = Austria; Ger = Germany)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
biology
physics
chemistry
mathematics
computer science
engineering
AT- Female
AT - Male
Ger - Female
Ger - Male
“Generally a good social life.” Females recognize/value that more than males.
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Preventing drop out .............
Show that students are part of the social and scientific community –
make them confident that they can succeed!
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Preventing drop out..........................
Make it clear that STEM studies are
hard and demanding; assure them that they
will get support
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Summing up
The experiences in secondary school is important in choosing a STEM study
Key persons: good teachers
Key factor: interest towards the subject
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Implications for supporting first-year students and preventing drop out
Let students understand that STEM education is interesting and meaningful for their future life.
Let students understand that STEM education will be a possibility to realize the own potential
Strengthen self efficacy; reduce the impact of perceived cost. Support students by their social and academic integration. Support mentoring systems esp. for female students
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References
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THANK YOU for listening!
Doris Elster
Institute of Biology Education, University of Bremen