STEM identity, a disciplinary identity that reflects an individual's self-understanding in connection with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), impacts students ' integration into and retention within STEM fields. This study aimed to develop a STEM identity model, called the BioCheM-ID, to measure STEM identity across biology, chemistry, and mathematics among students enrolled in an introductory-level biology course at a large post-secondary public institution in Texas, United States. The study explored how student-centered factors, such as gender, race, student major, and pre-college informal STEM learning experiences, influence STEM identity. Additionally, the study investigated the relationships between students' educational aspirations, expectations, and STEM identity, and the connections between STEM identity and how undergraduates process, use, and interpret the slope-intercept concept of a simple linear graph (y = mx + b). The BioCheM-ID model comprised five latent factors: biology perceived competence and interest, chemistry perceived competence and interest, mathematics perceived competence and interest, biology and chemistry beliefs, and mathematics beliefs. Students' major and pre-college informal STEM learning experiences, particularly mentoring and tutoring, were significant factors of STEM identity. Positive correlations were observed between educational aspirations, expectations, and STEM identity. Students with high STEM identities demonstrated proficiency in providing productive responses regarding the slope-intercept concept of a simple linear graph, showcasing high graphical literacy.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:unt.edu/info:ark/67531/metadc2332605 |
| Date | 05 1900 |
| Creators | Thennakoon Mudalige Silva, Supuni Dhameera Gangani |
| Contributors | Thompson, Rudi, Atkinson, Molly B., Roberts, Aaron, Kennedy, James H., Goven, Arthur |
| Publisher | University of North Texas |
| Source Sets | University of North Texas |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | Text |
| Rights | Public, Thennakoon Mudalige Silva, Supuni Dhameera Gangani, Copyright, Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights Reserved. |
Page generated in 0.0018 seconds