Impact of out-of-school science activities on students’ attitude toward science and Interest in stem career aspirations

Abstract

Despite the proven benefits of science-related disciplines, only 40% of Ghanaian students pursue them. This problem of low enrollment in science-related disciplines begins in Junior High Schools, where students fail to choose science as the program to pursue at the Senior High School level because of poor attitudes toward the study of science, which is associated with perceived difficulty, abstractness and theoretical nature of science concepts. This study sought to explore the effect an out-of-school science activities can have on Junior High school students’ attitudes toward science and interest in STEM career aspirations. An embedded mixed-methods design was employed, combining quantitative data from pre- and post-intervention surveys with qualitative data from semi-structured interviews. Students’ attitudes towards science and STEM careers were identified before and after an intervention that involved building a miniature fufu pounding pestle. The findings revealed a statistically significant improvement in students' attitudes toward science and a positive impact on their interest in STEM career aspirations. Students’ changes in attitudes and career aspirations were attributed to the practical experience, the fun and interesting nature of the activities, and recognition of real-world relevance. In effect, the study demonstrated the potential of out-of-school science activities in promoting STEM education and motivating the next generation of scientists and innovators. It is recommended that educational policymakers allocate resources for more practical-oriented science teaching.