Synapse
⌘+K
Synapse
PulseExploreClubsResearchersJournals
Instagram
HomeClubsExplore
September 2, 2026Research in Science & Technological Education

Pathways to STEM aspirations: a multidimensional structural model of 9th-grade students

View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share

Authors

SYShu Ching YangSLShu-Jyun LiouCCChih-Ting Chang

Discussion

Loading...

Member takes

Overview

Cross-sectional survey reveals experiential and motivational pathways predicting STEM aspirations in ninth-graders, highlighting gender-specific differences in resource translation.

Key Points

  • To evaluate how STEM capital, learning experiences, and motivational beliefs collectively influence adolescent STEM career aspirations, and to assess whether gender moderates these structural pathways.
  • Cross-sectional survey design including N=821 ninth-grade students (51.4% male, 48.6% female) recruited from eight junior high schools in southern Taiwan.
  • Data analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), bootstrapped mediation analyses, and moderation testing with Hayes' PROCESS macro (Model 1).
  • STEM learning experiences functioned as a primary mediator between STEM capital, motivational beliefs, and aspirations, while STEM capital showed no direct effect on aspirations.
  • Outcome expectations and self-concept served as the strongest proximal predictors of STEM aspirations, alongside a negative indirect effect linking self-efficacy to outcome expectations via attitudes.
  • Gender significantly moderated structural associations, displaying stronger pathways from STEM capital to learning experiences and self-efficacy among boys compared to girls.

Cite This Study

Yang et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a97e2f6c562ede874ec769chttps://doi.org/10.1080/02635143.2026.2726378
View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share

Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1How STEM social capital shapes secondary school students’ STEM aspirations: the roles of STEM expectations and mathematics competency2026
  2. 2School students’ aspirations for STEM careers: the influence of self-concept, parental expectations, career outcome expectations, and perceptions of STEM professionals2024 · 9 citations
  3. 3Exploring predictors of STEM aspirations from a STEM capital perspective2024 · 1 citations
  4. 4Influence of career awareness on STEM career interests: examining the roles of self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and gender2024 · 48 citations
  5. 5Perceptions, barriers, and aspirations: understanding Grade 9 girls’ interest in STEM through three-day enrichment programs2025