Microsoft releases National Survey Findings on student motivation to study STEM

Interesting set of findings from Microsoft, with a particular focus on gender differences in motivation to study STEM.  How interesting that Microsoft is doing this — not NSF, not a University.

The survey findings offer key insights behind the STEM skills shortage, including:

• While most parents of K-12 students (93%) believe that STEM education should be a priority in the U.S., only half (49%) agree that it actually is a top priority for this country.
• Nearly 4 in 5 STEM college students say that they decided to study STEM in high school or earlier, and parents say STEM interest begins at an early age.  One in five students (21%) decides in middle school or earlier.
• Male students are more likely to pursue STEM because they have always enjoyed games/toys, reading books, and/or participating in clubs that are focused on their chosen subject area. (51% vs. 35% females).  Female students are more likely to say that they chose STEM to make a difference (49% vs. 34% males).
• Teachers are at the head of the class when it comes to the reasons students decide to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering or math.
• The motivation factors for boy and girls to become interested in STEM are very different. For boys, it’s primarily games and toys that led to a liking of STEM, for girls, it was a teacher or class. Schools should factor these differences into their STEM curriculum.

via Microsoft Releases National Survey Findings on How to Inspire the Next Generation of Doctors, Scientists, Software Developers and Engineers: New survey among college students and parents of K–12 students provides implications for nurturing interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers..