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- STEM Career Aspirations Among Portuguese Secondary School StudentsPublication . Ribeirinha, Teresa; Correia, Marisa; Baptista, MónicaThe main objective of this study was to investigate the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) career interests of secondary school students in Portugal. Data were collected from a sample of 190 twelfth grade students, consisting of 106 females and 84 males, using the STEM Career Interest Survey. The results showed that interest in careers in engineering tended to be lower than interest in mathematics, science, and technology among secondary school students. The study also found a gender gap in students' interest in science, engineering, and technology careers. Female students were less interested in engineering and technology-related careers than their male counterparts, but more interested in science-related careers. These findings can inform education policy makers, curriculum developers, teachers, and researchers about the importance of STEM education in nurturing and cultivating students' interest in STEM fields.
- The Impact of STEM Activities on the Interest and Aspirations in STEM Careers of 12th-grade portuguese students in science and technology curriculumPublication . Ribeirinha, Teresa; Baptista, Mónica; Correia, MarisaSocial cognitive career theory posits that career interests and decisions are influenced by individual, contextual, and behavioural factors. This research aims to assess the impact of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) activities on students’ interest and aspirations in STEM careers. Additionally, the study aims to explore the critical factors that might shape students’ STEM career aspirations. The research used a quantitative approach, with pre- and post-test measures for a cohort of 191 Portuguese secondary school students, using the Career Interest Questionnaire (CIQ). The results showed that STEM activities increased the intentions of non-STEM students to pursue educational opportunities that could potentially lead to a scientific career. Males, in contrast to females, showed a significant increase in their intentions to pursue educational opportunities that could eventually lead to a scientific career. Furthermore, gender along with the personal goals and positive perceptions of STEM careers were identified as significant predictors of the students’ STEM career aspirations. These results highlight the critical role of STEM education in developing and sustaining students’ interest in STEM careers. Integrated STEM activities should be developed in the early stages of education to enhance students’ confidence in STEM and mitigate the gender gap.