More Than Just Fun: Engaging African American and Latina Females in Relevant STEM Curriculum

Abstract

When examining students’ mathematics and science achievement, research shows that student’ attitudes towards mathematics and science may be more or equally important than the amount of effort. This study explores the impact of a summer science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) enrichment camp, implementing a socially-transformative based curriculum, on African-American and Latina females’ confidence and attitudes towards mathematics and science. This study utilized qualitative and quantitative research methods to explore the primary research question, how does participation in a summer enrichment STEM camp impact the mathematical and scientific confidence of African American and Latina females? Preliminary findings show that African-American and Latina females’ experiences in the STEM enrichment camp have either: (1) positively impacted their confidence in mathematics or (2) caused them maintain their current level of confidence in mathematics.