GSE/RES - The Effects of Robotics Projects on Girls' Perceptions of Achievement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

南伊利诺伊大学爱德华兹维尔分校正在研究一个机器人教育项目的参与者，以了解这些项目如何对女孩对自己在STEM领域成就的看法产生短期影响，以及这是否会转化为学习和职业选择的长期选择。具体而言，该项目解决了期望值模型的心理成分的效用，以理解性别差异在stem相关选择中的作用。它还研究了机器人团队的性别构成和参与项目的动机在女孩对STEM的看法、期望和选择中所起的作用。机器人技术提供了一个综合系统的全面视图。它说明了机械、电气和计算组件之间的联系。由于其多学科的性质，在课堂上使用机器人技术已经成为一种实用的工具，可以在各个STEM主题中实践应用概念。有明确的证据表明，机器人项目是引人入胜的教育工具，并且在教学STEM概念方面取得了成功。然而，目前尚不清楚这些项目是否会转化为对STEM领域研究的长期兴趣，并最终转化为职业选择。该项目涉及KISS实用机器人研究所Botball项目的参与者。Botball项目是一个以团队为基础的活动，吸引了成千上万的中学生和高中生参加地区和国家机器人比赛和展览。该项目采用混合方法研究方法，以获得对STEM感知和选择所涉及的因素的丰富理解。为了检验期望值模型，我们将采用ANCOVA和结构方程模型等定量分析。定量研究与定性方法相辅相成。定性研究包括观察、访谈和人工制品分析，将能够更深入地了解参与机器人项目的影响，并允许检查文化问题在STEM选择中可能发挥的作用。最显著的智力价值是由于使用：1)期望值模型；2)定性与定量相结合；3)外显和内隐态度测量；4)一种独特的定性方法，研究参与者将协助我们收集数据。通过应用期望值理论，该研究提供了最全面的观点，探讨了女孩STEM经历中涉及的因素，以及这种经历如何影响自我认知。综合定性/定性研究的综合解释将提供一个更清晰的理解，应用技术的项目，如机器人，如何影响女孩对自己能力的看法，期望值模型中产生的具体因素如何影响这些看法，以及这些影响如何影响进入STEM职业的选择。这项为期两年的研究将有助于确定影响是短期的还是长期的。如果持续时间更长，是什么因素维持甚至加强了女孩在STEM领域实现目标的动机？更广泛的影响最重要的更广泛的影响是，这项研究与KIPR和SIUE的课程开发工作直接吻合。KIPR拥有持续的NASA拨款，并与NASA教育者建立了STEM课程开发的工作关系，SIUE正在为K-12外展和本科课程开发机器人课程。结果将使Botball、FIRST机器人联盟、塔夫茨大学下一步计划、CMU的“扩展你的视野”计划等项目能够在他们的项目中瞄准实际影响女孩stem相关选择的因素。传播的对象是教育工作者、教育研究者和发展心理学家。

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville is studying participants in a robotics educational program to gain an understanding of how such programs may have a short-term effect on girls' perception of their achievement in STEM areas, and whether this translates into long-term choices in study and career options. Specifically, the project addresses the utility of the psychological components of the expectancy-value model for understanding the role of gender differences in STEM-related choices. It also examines the role the gender make-up of the robotics team and the motivation for participating in the program play in girls' STEM perceptions, expectations, and choices.Robotics provides a comprehensive view of an integrated system. It illustrates the connection between mechanical, electrical, and computing components. Because of its multidisciplinary nature, the use of robotics in the classroom has become a useful tool for the practical, hands-on application of concepts across various STEM topics. There is clear evidence that shows robotics projects are engaging educational tools and have been pedagogically successful in teaching STEM concepts. However, it is less clear whether such projects translate into long-term interests in STEM areas of study and, ultimately, career choices.The project involves participants in the KISS Institute for Practical Robotics' Botball Program. The Botball Program is a team-based activity that engages thousands of middle school and high school students in regional and national robotics competitions and exhibitions. The project employs a mixed methodology research approach to gain a rich understanding of the factors involved in STEM perceptions and choices. To examine the expectancy-value model, quantitative analyses including ANCOVA and structural equation modeling will be employed. The quantitative study is complemented with a qualitative approach. The qualitative study, which includes observations, interviews, and artifact analysis, will enable a deeper understanding of the effect of participation in robotics projects and permit the examination of role cultural issues may play in STEM choices.Intellectual Merit The most significant intellectual merit is due to the use of: 1) the expectancy value model; 2) a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods; 3) both explicit and implicit attitudes measures; and 4) a unique qualitative methodology in which participants in the study will assist us in data collection. By applying the expectancy-value theory, the study provides the most comprehensive view of the factors involved in a girl's STEM experience and how this experience affects self-perception. The combined interpretation of the comprehensive qualitative/qualitative study will provide a clearer understanding of how programs that apply technology, like robotics, affect girls' perceptions of their abilities, how specific factors engendered in the expectancy-value model impact these perceptions, and how these effects influence choices to enter STEM careers. The two year study will help determine if impacts are short term or longer lasting. And if they are longer lasting what are factors that sustain or even strengthen girls' motivations for achieving goals in STEM areas.Broader ImpactThe most significant broader impact is that the study dovetails directly with work in curriculum development at KIPR and SIUE. KIPR has a continuing NASA Grant and a working relationship with NASA Educators for the development of STEM curriculum and SIUE has an ongoing educational effort for the development of robotics curriculum for K-12 outreach and undergraduate courses. Results will allow programs such as Botball, FIRST Robot League, Tufts University Next Steps Program, CMU's Expanding Your Horizon Program, and many others to target factors in their programs that actually impact a girl's STEM-related choices. Dissemination will be aimed at educators, educational researchers, and developmental psychologists.