Opportunities for Creativity at a STEM Summer Camp: Articles on Participants' Experiences

In the two present studies that comprise this thesis, the researcher observes participants between ages 12-17 in two STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) summer camp sessions, both held at the same southeastern Texas university. The first present study concerns the effects of CAD software and a STEAM survey on participants’ visual-spatial and creative abilities. The second present study aims to compare how the participants perceived creativity in STEM before and after attending the STEM summer camp. It also identifies which types of specific creative activities were preferred by these middle and high school participants. The results in both studies were analyzed by the entire set of participants, by gender, and by ethnic group. The 3D CAD software did not improve the visual-spatial skills for any of these classifications of participants; however, it seemed to positively affect males’ creative actions. Females, males, and Blacks preferred “Bridge Building” as their most creative activity. Asians/Indians, Hispanics, and Caucasians/Whites, on the other hand, preferred “3D Printing/Modelling” as their most creative activity. These insights could aid in future research about diverse secondary students’ recruitment and retention in STEM classes and fields

Perceptions of Educators on Motivational Strategies Influencing Middle School Students in Mathematics Courses

This qualitative study examined educators\u27 perceptions of motivational strategies influencing and motivating middle school students to comprehend and perform in mathematics courses. This study used interview data from 15 participants with 2 to 30 years of teaching experience. Educators may utilize this information in multiple settings within the classroom to influence and motivate students in mathematics courses. Data collection strategies included one-on-one semi-structured middle school educator interviews. Analysis of data occurred in three phases: (a) categorization of data under the five organizational factors, (b) building the explanation in narrative form, and (c) re-examination of the data. The analysis of the phenomenological study data was based on the theoretical framework of the achievement goal theories - the differences in how people judge their perceptions of competence (Nicholls, 1984) and TARGET structures (Task, Authority, Rewards, Grouping, Evaluation, and Time) (Epstein, 1989). The credibility of the analysis was protected by triangulation of data through multiple sources of evidence, establishment of a chain of evidence, and member checking. The results revealed that current and innovative motivational strategies influenced students in middle school mathematics. The results revealed how educators motivate middle school students through traditional and non-traditional strategies. Five themes emerged from the interview data analysis that contribute to the motivation of middle school students: (1) internal motivation, (2) external motivation, (3) building thinking classrooms, (4) student choice, and (5) building relationships

Effectiveness of AutoCAD 3D Software as a Learning Support Tool

The aim of this study is to test the effectiveness of AutoCAD 3D software in learning of Engineering Drawing to enhance students understanding. Data were collected from a sample of students from a secondary school in Sungai Petani, Kedah. The quasi experimental design was used to find the effectiveness of the software in improving studentâ??s achievement. The result from this study shows excellent increases in student achievement after using this software. These indicate the software can help school student visualization capability. This study suggests that teachers, school administrators and government to consider this software as learning tool in Malaysia school