Interest, Mindsets and Engagement: Longitudinal Relations in Science Orientations for Adolescents in Informal Science Programs

Overview

Journal J Youth Adolesc

Specialties Pediatrics
Psychology
Social Sciences

Date 2023 Feb 6

PMID 36746824

Authors

Angelina Joy

Channing J Mathews

Mengya Zhao

Fidelia Law

Luke McGuire

Adam J Hoffman

Frances Balkwill

Karen P Burns

Laurence Butler

Marc Drews

Grace Fields

Hannah Smith

Emine Ozturk

Mark Winterbottom

Adam Rutland

Adam Hartstone-Rose

Kelly Lynn Mulvey

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Little is known about the factors that influence engagement for adolescents participating in informal youth science programs. This study examined longitudinal reciprocal associations between adolescents' science engagement, interest, and growth mindset. Participants were adolescents (M = 15.06, SD = 1.82 years, 66.8% female) from the UK (n = 168) and the US (n = 299). A cross lagged path analysis indicated that participants' science growth mindset at baseline was positively related to interest, and engagement at year 1, and science interest at year 1 was positively related to growth mindset at year 2. Additionally, girls had lower science growth mindsets than boys. This evidence suggests that informal programs may encourage positive STEM trajectories by fostering engagement, growth mindset and interest.

Citing Articles

Adolescents' evaluations of peer and teacher unfair treatment in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics classes: Expected interventions.

Mulvey K, Cerda-Smith J, Herry E, Joy A, Marlow C, Mathews C J Res Adolesc. 2024; 34(4):1611-1625.

PMID: 39384695 PMC: 11606267. DOI: 10.1111/jora.13030.

Developmental Trajectories of Adolescents' Math Motivation: The Role of Mindset and Perceptions of Informal STEM Learning Site Inclusivity.

Ozturk E, Zhao M, Hoffman A, Joy A, Marlow C, Law F J Youth Adolesc. 2024; 53(7):1542-1563.

PMID: 38418750 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-024-01949-0.

Reciprocal Associations Between Science Efficacy, STEM Identity and Scientist Career Interest Among Adolescent Girls within the Context of Informal Science Learning.

Zhao M, Ozturk E, Law F, Joy A, Deutsch A, Marlow C J Youth Adolesc. 2023; 53(2):472-484.

PMID: 37819476 PMC: 10764556. DOI: 10.1007/s10964-023-01868-6.

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