Engineering

The Role of Discrimination and Barriers in the Perceptions of Adolescents With and Without Disabilities of STEM Classes and Jobs

In STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields, people with disabilities are underrepresented. This study aimed to determine what barriers might prevent students with and without disabilities from pursuing STEM careers. Differences in students’ interest in enrolling in advanced STEM courses and having a STEM career were evaluated in a sample of 438 students with (24.9%) and without disabilities (Mage = 15.09, SD = .82) recruited from public high schools in Southeastern United States.

Author/Presenter

Kelly Lynn Mulvey

Jacqueline Cerda-Smith

Angelina Joy

Martha Batul

Emine Ozturk

Year
2025
Short Description

In STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields, people with disabilities are underrepresented. This study aimed to determine what barriers might prevent students with and without disabilities from pursuing STEM careers.

Re-examining the Relationship Between Three-Dimensional Science and Engineering Knowledge and Student Interest: A Mixed Methods Study

Now more than ever, the world needs citizens comfortable with interdisciplinary problem- solving in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to address global environmental and health challenges, including extreme weather, habitat destruction, and air pollution, among others. However, many countries report an insufficient number of individuals with experience in STEM problem solving. In addition, recent research indicates low interest and knowledge in STEM fields.

Author/Presenter

Julia E. Calabrese

Nancy Butler Songer

Daniel Kalani Aina Jr.

Holly Cordner

Lead Organization(s)
Year
2025
Short Description

Now more than ever, the world needs citizens comfortable with interdisciplinary problem- solving in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to address global environmental and health challenges, including extreme weather, habitat destruction, and air pollution, among others. However, many countries report an insufficient number of individuals with experience in STEM problem solving. In addition, recent research indicates low interest and knowledge in STEM fields. In this mixed-methods study, we explored a potential relationship between interest and three-dimensional (3D) science and engineering knowledge.

“It Would Be Cool to Make Up My Own Activities”: Youth Voice in STEM Teaching and Learning

Fostering youth voice means supporting young people in expressing their ideas, taking ownership of their learning, and engaging with their communities in meaningful and impactful ways. Out-of-school-time (OST) science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs have long provided these opportunities, empowering youth to drive their learning forward and see themselves as active contributors to the world around them.

Author/Presenter

Victoria Oliveira

Virginia Andrews

Patricia J. Allen

Gil G. Noam

Lead Organization(s)
Year
2025
Short Description

For the promotion of youth voice to be successful, out-of-school-time (OST) program facilitators and classroom teachers need a common understanding of what quality looks and sounds like and support for implementing higher-quality instructional strategies. For well over a decade, the Dimensions of Success (DoS) observation system has provided such support in OST settings and, more recently, in middle-grade classrooms. In this article, we first demonstrate how DoS defines quality Youth Voice in OST and classroom settings through four vignettes based on observations of grade 5–8 classrooms and OST program observations, then provide strategies for educators to promote higher-quality Youth Voice by building on youth ideas and encouraging decision-making that drives their STEM learning forward.

Culturally and Linguistically Sustaining Formative Assessment in Science and Engineering: Highlighting Multilingual Girls’ Linguistic, Epistemic, and Spatial Brilliances

Background
This study advances understandings of formative assessment by introducing the Culturally and Linguistically Sustaining Formative Assessment (CLSA) framework, grounded in relational and embodied perspectives and culturally sustaining pedagogy. While formative assessment is widely recognized as a process for supporting learning, less is known about how it can be enacted in culturally and linguistically sustaining ways.

Author/Presenter

Shakhnoza Kayumova

Akira Harper

Tia Madkins

Esma Nur Kahveci

Year
2025
Short Description

This study advances understandings of formative assessment by introducing the Culturally and Linguistically Sustaining Formative Assessment (CLSA) framework, grounded in relational and embodied perspectives and culturally sustaining pedagogy. While formative assessment is widely recognized as a process for supporting learning, less is known about how it can be enacted in culturally and linguistically sustaining ways.

Fostering Computational Thinking Through Neural Engineering Activities in High School Biology Classes

Principal Investigator:

In this project, we developed and implemented a ninth/10th grade neural engineering unit—an emerging field that integrates neuroscience, engineering design, and programming—to explore how computational thinking (CT) and engineering can be incorporated into a core biology high school course. We are examining the changes in students’ CT, engineering design processes, and attitudes towards STEM throughout their participation. We are also exploring what supports biology teachers need to effectively foster CT and engineering.

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Opening Pathways into Engineering Through an Illinois Physics and Secondary Schools Partnership

Principal Investigator:

Although most teachers recognize the importance of taking investigative, open-ended approaches to students’ learning experiences, implementing them in high school classes can be challenging for teachers.

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Empowering Changemakers: Urban Biodiversity Initiative for Teachers and Youth

Principal Investigator:

The ECUITY project aims to develop and utilize a multi-agency partnership to design, implement, and test a research-based professional learning (PL) approach that will ensure that teachers and their students have actionable knowledge on how to protect and enhance the biodiversity in their communities.

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