Investigation of 12th Grade Students' Interest in STEM Fields

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the interest of 12th-grade students in the field of STEM. In the study, the survey model, one of the quantitative designs, was used. The participants of the study consisted of 12th-grade high school students in central and some districts of Diyarbakır. To determine the students' level of interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, the 36-item STEM Career Interest Scale was used. To obtain the personal information of the students, a personal information questionnaire was administered to the participating students. The data obtained from the study were analyzed using descriptive analysis, independent samples t-test and one way ANOVA. As a result of the research, it was determined that the interest of the students participating in the research in STEM fields significantly varied according to gender, the type of school they attended, the presence of a role model working in science and technology fields in their environment, awareness of scientific developments, and internet use. In addition, it was found that the career interest levels of the students in the participant group differed according to their mothers' education. However, no change was determined according to their fathers' educational level. It is thought that increasing interest in STEM fields in secondary education institutions and learning environments will have significant effects for both students and teachers.