Early Preparation and Inspiration for STEM Careers: Preliminary Report of the Epidemiology Challenge Randomized Intervention, 2014-2015.

Abstract

Early Preparation and Inspiration for Careers in the Biomedical Sciences (EPIC) is a university-high school partnership for increasing high school student interest and persistence in the biomedical sciences. EPIC includes a year-long, project-based learning intervention, the Think Like an Epidemiologist Challenge (Epi Challenge). We describe the main components of the Epi Challenge and report on short-term changes in scientific literacy and science-related motivations and beliefs. From June 2014 through June 2015, a randomized sample of students with above-median interest in science from 5 high schools in Pennsylvania completed baseline and midyear assessments of scientific self-efficacy, beliefs regarding acquisition of scientific knowledge (personal scientific epistemology), and personal interest in science using 5-point Likert-type scales (with higher scores indicating stronger or more sophisticated beliefs). Of 984 students completing baseline assessments, 110 enrolled in the Epi Challenge, and 84 remained at midyear. At midyear, mean scores for scientific self-efficacy (change = 0.26, P < .001) and personal scientific epistemology (change = 0.19, P = .004) increased significantly, but personal interest in science (change = -0.17, P = .06) did not. Increases in personal scientific epistemology were greatest for African American (change = 0.47, P = .005), free/reduced-price lunch (change = 0.35, P = .001), underrepresented minorities in science (change = 0.27, P = .002), and female (change = 0.26, P = .01) students. Epi Challenge participation was associated with improvement in high school students' scientific self-efficacy and sophistication of epistemologic beliefs. Long-term follow-up of this cohort may shed light on whether such changes will be sustained and shape college major and career decisions.