A Theory of Change for Improving Children’s Perceptions, Aspirations and Uptake of STEM Careers

Davenport, Carol, Dele-Ajayi, Opeyemi, Emembolu, Itoro, Morton, Richard, Padwick, Annie, Portas, Antonio, Sanderson, Jonathan, Shimwell, Joe, Loxley, Jane, Strachan, Becky, Wake, Leanne, Wells, Gary and Woodward, John (2021) A Theory of Change for Improving Children’s Perceptions, Aspirations and Uptake of STEM Careers. Research in Science Education, 51 (4). pp. 997-1011. ISSN 0157-244X

Preview	Text (Advance online version) Davenport2020_Article_ATheoryOfChangeForImprovingChi.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Download (683kB) | Preview
Preview	Text RISE_D_19_00104_R2_no_responses_to_query.pdf - Accepted Version Download (1MB) | Preview
Preview	Text (Final published version) Final published version.pdf - Published Version Download (662kB) | Preview

Abstract

There is concern about the low numbers and diversity of young people choosing careers and study subjects in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) at university and beyond. Many interventions aimed at addressing this issue have focused on young people aged 14+ years old. However, these interventions have resulted in little improvement in the numbers and diversity of young people progressing into STEM careers. The aim of this study is to ask “What are the affordances of a Theory of Change (ToC) for increasing the diversity and number of young people choosing a career in STEM post-18?” An innovative ToC is introduced which provides the theoretical underpinnings and context for the complex mix of interventions necessary to lead to a significant change in the number and diversity of those choosing STEM careers. Case studies of interventions developed using the ToC are presented. This approach, and associated ToC, is widely applicable across STEM, education and public engagement fields.

Actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads