Modeling the Factors Influencing Secondary Students' Performance in STEM Subjects

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Modeling the Factors Influencing Secondary Students' Performance in STEM Subjects
Language: English
Authors: Nasser Mansour (ORCID 0000-0001-5707-7373), Mustafa Çevik (ORCID 0000-0001-5064-6983), Ali Yagci (ORCID 0000-0003-0359-4927), Sarah Bader Mohsen Alotaibi (ORCID 0009-0004-9795-6662), Heba EL-Deghaidy (ORCID 0000-0002-0681-4334)
Source: Journal of Baltic Science Education. 2024 23(3):518-535.
Availability: Scientia Socialis Ltd. 29 K. Donelaicio Street, LT-78115 Siauliai, Republic of Lithuania. e-mail: scientia@scientiasocialis.lt; e-mail: mail.jbse@gmail.com; Web site: http://www.scientiasocialis.lt/jbse/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 18
Publication Date: 2024
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Grade 10
High Schools
Descriptors: Secondary School Students, Academic Achievement, STEM Education, Intellectual Disciplines, Grade 10, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Information Technology, Foreign Countries, Student Characteristics, Teacher Effectiveness, Class Activities, Expertise, Class Size, Barriers
Geographic Terms: Turkey
ISSN: 1648-3898
2538-7138
Abstract: STEM education plays a key role in influencing and orienting students' interests towards STEM fields and careers. This influence is multifaceted, involving not only STEM content and experiences but also teachers, schools, and personal factors. The purpose of this study is to explore the factors impacting the academic performance of 951 tenth grade students in STEM subjects (physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and information technologies) who are attending public and private schools in two provinces of Turkey. Using a correlational research model, the study assessed how students' personal characteristics, teacher effectiveness and school characteristics affect achievement in STEM courses. Data were collected using the 'Factors Affecting STEM Achievement Questionnaire (FA-STEM-A)', a 20-item questionnaire divided into three sub-dimensions. Analyses focused on the relationships between student characteristics, teaching quality, school infrastructure and STEM performance. Structural equation modelling revealed that positive student characteristics, especially fondness for STEM subjects and confidence in STEM abilities, moderately increase achievement. In contrast, negative factors attributed to teachers and schools, such as inadequate classroom activities, lack of educator expertise, inadequate technological resources, and large class sizes, hindered student performance. These findings emphasize the important influence of both inherent student qualities and external educational conditions in determining STEM education.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2024
Accession Number: EJ1429764
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:STEM education plays a key role in influencing and orienting students' interests towards STEM fields and careers. This influence is multifaceted, involving not only STEM content and experiences but also teachers, schools, and personal factors. The purpose of this study is to explore the factors impacting the academic performance of 951 tenth grade students in STEM subjects (physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and information technologies) who are attending public and private schools in two provinces of Turkey. Using a correlational research model, the study assessed how students' personal characteristics, teacher effectiveness and school characteristics affect achievement in STEM courses. Data were collected using the 'Factors Affecting STEM Achievement Questionnaire (FA-STEM-A)', a 20-item questionnaire divided into three sub-dimensions. Analyses focused on the relationships between student characteristics, teaching quality, school infrastructure and STEM performance. Structural equation modelling revealed that positive student characteristics, especially fondness for STEM subjects and confidence in STEM abilities, moderately increase achievement. In contrast, negative factors attributed to teachers and schools, such as inadequate classroom activities, lack of educator expertise, inadequate technological resources, and large class sizes, hindered student performance. These findings emphasize the important influence of both inherent student qualities and external educational conditions in determining STEM education.
ISSN:1648-3898
2538-7138