An Examination of Students' Gender, Teachers' Self-Reported Effectiveness, and Students' Interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) as Mandated by Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030
General Material Designation
[Thesis]
First Statement of Responsibility
Alzahrani, Eman Mohammed
Subsequent Statement of Responsibility
Doering, Sandra
.PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC
Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.
Concordia University Chicago
Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.
2020
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Specific Material Designation and Extent of Item
226
DISSERTATION (THESIS) NOTE
Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree
Ph.D.
Body granting the degree
Concordia University Chicago
Text preceding or following the note
2020
SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT
Text of Note
The purpose of this study was to determine whether differences in interest in STEM for student gender and teachers' self-reported effectiveness impact students' interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), based on a survey of science teachers and 11th-and 12th- grade students in the high schools in the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This study was addressed through a quantitative survey study design using the Instrument for Teachers' Self-Effectiveness Toward Teaching Integrated STEM and the modified version of the Student Interest Scale (SIS-STEM). The theoretical foundations for this study included constructivism, which has contributed significantly to STEM programs, making a marked impact on students' social and cognitive development. Teacher participants included males and females who taught science, chemistry, physics, and mathematics; student participants included males and females enrolled in 11th and 12th grade in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Results indicated that female students' interest in STEM was higher than male students' interest in STEM. In addition, there was a weak positive correlation between teachers' self-reported effectiveness and students' interest in STEM. These findings are important in understanding how and to what degree educational administrators need to assess and rework the science curriculum in the Saudi system not only to better prepare students for leadership roles in a changing economy (per the Vision 2030 framework) but also how to help science teachers educate and motivate students toward this end.