Student Motivation in STEM Careers at Three Northwest Universities of Mexico

María Amparo Oliveros,Benjamín Valdez,Eduardo Cabrera,Lidia Esther Vargas,José Luis Arcos,Miguel Schoor

doi:10.4236/ce.2016.718262

Abstract

Mexico hosts a large number of modern firms, notably in the sectors of aerospace, automobiles, foods and beverages, which employ high-skilled and well-educated workers. Therefore, Graduates from Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields are both in high demand in the labor market and among the most highly paid. Even though, 30.9% of Mexican employers report having faced difficulties finding people with the necessary skills to fill vacancies in STEM areas. Three universities in the northwest region of Mexico conformed a STEM network aiming to promote enrollment, retention and gender equality on STEM careers. An instrument based on Questionnaire ROSE-Q or “Relevance of Science Education” allowed gathering information that allows measuring relevant indicators to support the design of actions and strategies. The project was carried out with funds granted in 2016 from the National Council on Science and Technology (CONACYT). The main indicators impacting the STEM career choice of students are about cultural training, youth identity, and gender equity.

Highlights

The low rate of young people enrolled in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is a major international challenge
An instrument based on Questionnaire Relevance of Science Education Questionnaire (ROSE-Q) or “Relevance of Science Education” allowed gathering information that allows measuring relevant indicators to support the design of actions and strategies
The objective of this work is to determine data to understand the factors that define the choice of the young people of STEM careers in three public universities: Autonomous University of Baja California, Polytechnic University of Baja California and University of Sonora Estate

Summary

Introduction

The low rate of young people enrolled in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is a major international challenge. In studies of global innovation, mainly tertiary education, the STEM fields have been identified as a critical determinant in the level of innovation (Soumitra, 2011). In the case of Mexico according to the National Association of Universities and Institutions of Higher Education. (ANUIES) (2013), only 20% of young people opt for a STEM career, and with a dropout rate of 50%. The objective of this work is to determine data to understand the factors that define the choice of the young people of STEM careers in three public universities: Autonomous University of Baja California, Polytechnic University of Baja California and University of Sonora Estate

Objectives

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Conclusion