Date of Award
Fall 2023
Document Type
Open Access Dissertation
Department
Educational Studies
First Advisor
Christine Lotter
Abstract
Nearly one-fifth of U.S. children attend rural schools; however, these students have fewer opportunities for high-quality STEM learning. Rural students are also less likely to attend college and less likely to enroll in STEM majors than their urban and suburban peers. In conjunction with these factors, female students are also less likely to pursue STEM degrees and work in STEM fields. Broadening access and exposure to these areas, as well as improving female perceptions about STEM fields, is critical to closing the gap. This mixed-methods action research study was an effort to increase female achievement and self-efficacy in science and engineering. This study focused on the use of the engineering design process with fifth-grade, rural, female students. Findings indicate the engineering design process had a positive impact on achievement and self-efficacy in science and engineering.
Rights
© 2024, Whitney Lowery Oberndorf
Recommended Citation
Oberndorf, W. L.(2023). Impact of the Engineering Design Process on Rural Female Students’ Achievement and Self-Efficacy. (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/7595