Promoting Student Persistence in STEM

In the US, white students are consistently more likely to complete STEM degrees than Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous students. Why does this disparity exist, and how can educators more equitably support all students’ success in STEM?  A key factor that influences student success is persistence—the ability to persevere through challenges in their STEM academic journey. This pathway examines the concept of persistence and outlines the systemic barriers that often undermine the persistence of racially diverse students in STEM. It also explores the crucial role that educators play in cultivating students’ self-efficacy and STEM identity—two essential traits that support persistence. By building students’ confidence and ability to see themselves as STEM contributors, educators can support all students in developing the persistence they need to achieve their academic goals. This pathway forms part of the Advancing Equity in STEM through Inclusive Teaching cluster. See our equity pledge as part of this initiative.

Topics

• RDEISE
• equity
• racism
• inclusion
• diversity
• belonging
• inclusive education
• STEM education
• professional development
• persistence
• self-efficacy
• STEM identity