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STEMing Together: A Comparison of Co-Ed and All-Female Informal Learning Environments

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Title: STEMing Together: A Comparison of Co-Ed and All-Female Informal Learning Environments
Language: English
Authors: Miriam Marie Sanders (ORCID 0000-0002-7625-6841), Julia E. Calabrese (ORCID 0000-0001-9609-3931), Micayla Gooden (ORCID 0000-0002-7910-4835), Mary Margaret Capraro (ORCID 0000-0002-6516-6533)
Source: Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning. 2026 19(1):145-158.
Availability: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Junior High Schools
Middle Schools
High Schools
Descriptors: STEM Education, Informal Education, Females, Coeducation, Beliefs, Gender Differences, Secondary School Students, Camps, Self Efficacy, Vocational Interests, Summer Programs, Mathematics Achievement, Science Achievement, Middle School Students, High School Students, Student Attitudes
DOI: 10.1108/JRIT-10-2023-0163
ISSN: 1947-1017
Abstract: Purpose: Research has shown that science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) self-beliefs and enjoyment are critical factors for predicting female students' persistence in STEM degrees and careers. Studies have shown the positive effects of informal STEM learning experiences on female students' self-beliefs. However, with the rise of all-female STEM learning experiences, such as summer camps, considering the potential advantages and disadvantages of co-ed options is important. Further, prior STEM education research has focused on sex differences in students' self-efficacy and STEM career interests. Our study aims to examine within sex differences in secondary, female students (n = 104) who attend either a co-ed STEM camp or a same-sex STEM camp. Design/methodology/approach: To examine potential differences, we conducted independent sample t-tests. Findings: Results of the study include statistically significant differences in mathematics and science self-efficacy as well as STEM career interest after participating in their respective camps. Originality/value: Further, prior research in STEM education has focused on between sex differences in students' self-efficacy and STEM career interest.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1507924
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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PubType: Academic Journal
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  Data: STEMing Together: A Comparison of Co-Ed and All-Female Informal Learning Environments
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  Data: English
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Miriam+Marie+Sanders%22">Miriam Marie Sanders</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7625-6841">0000-0002-7625-6841</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Julia+E%2E+Calabrese%22">Julia E. Calabrese</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9609-3931">0000-0001-9609-3931</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Micayla+Gooden%22">Micayla Gooden</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7910-4835">0000-0002-7910-4835</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Mary+Margaret+Capraro%22">Mary Margaret Capraro</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6516-6533">0000-0002-6516-6533</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Research+in+Innovative+Teaching+%26+Learning%22"><i>Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning</i></searchLink>. 2026 19(1):145-158.
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  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 14
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Secondary+Education%22">Secondary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Junior+High+Schools%22">Junior High Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Middle+Schools%22">Middle Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22High+Schools%22">High Schools</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22STEM+Education%22">STEM Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Informal+Education%22">Informal Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Females%22">Females</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Coeducation%22">Coeducation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Beliefs%22">Beliefs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gender+Differences%22">Gender Differences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Secondary+School+Students%22">Secondary School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Camps%22">Camps</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Self+Efficacy%22">Self Efficacy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Vocational+Interests%22">Vocational Interests</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Summer+Programs%22">Summer Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mathematics+Achievement%22">Mathematics Achievement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Science+Achievement%22">Science Achievement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Middle+School+Students%22">Middle School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22High+School+Students%22">High School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1108/JRIT-10-2023-0163
– Name: ISSN
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  Data: 1947-1017
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Purpose: Research has shown that science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) self-beliefs and enjoyment are critical factors for predicting female students' persistence in STEM degrees and careers. Studies have shown the positive effects of informal STEM learning experiences on female students' self-beliefs. However, with the rise of all-female STEM learning experiences, such as summer camps, considering the potential advantages and disadvantages of co-ed options is important. Further, prior STEM education research has focused on sex differences in students' self-efficacy and STEM career interests. Our study aims to examine within sex differences in secondary, female students (n = 104) who attend either a co-ed STEM camp or a same-sex STEM camp. Design/methodology/approach: To examine potential differences, we conducted independent sample t-tests. Findings: Results of the study include statistically significant differences in mathematics and science self-efficacy as well as STEM career interest after participating in their respective camps. Originality/value: Further, prior research in STEM education has focused on between sex differences in students' self-efficacy and STEM career interest.
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  Data: As Provided
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  Data: 2026
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  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1507924
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1507924
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        Value: 10.1108/JRIT-10-2023-0163
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 14
        StartPage: 145
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: STEM Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Informal Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Females
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Coeducation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Beliefs
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      – SubjectFull: Gender Differences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Secondary School Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Camps
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Self Efficacy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Vocational Interests
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Summer Programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mathematics Achievement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Science Achievement
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      – SubjectFull: Middle School Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: High School Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: STEMing Together: A Comparison of Co-Ed and All-Female Informal Learning Environments
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            NameFull: Miriam Marie Sanders
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