Leaving STEM: An Examination of the STEM to Non-STEM Major Change and How the STEM Curriculum Relates to Academic Achievement in Non-STEM Fields

The lack of student persistence in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields has been widely researched in recent years. Due to the high attrition rates in STEM fields and the shortage of STEM workers in the United States, research on STEM attrition has focused on identifying factors that cause STEM attrition and ways to increase STEM persistence. While these studies are helpful to understand STEM attrition, researchers have ignored what happens to the students who fail to persist in the STEM fields. Instead of focusing on the causes of STEM attrition, this study focused on the STEM to non-STEM major change by examining how STEM course enrollment and STEM course performance relates to various forms of academic achievement (first year retention, graduation, time to degree, cumulative GPA). The analytical sample for this study was drawn from the 2004/2009 Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS:04/09) and the associated 2009 Postsecondary Education Transcript Study (PETS:09) datasets with the final sample used for analysis representing students who initially enrolled in a STEM bachelor’s degree program and changed to a non-STEM field or left the institution entirely. As such, the results were reflective of this group of students, and not all students in college in general. Results of the study revealed three general findings about the relationship between STEM course enrollment and STEM course academic performance and academic achievement. First, STEM credits attempted is negatively associated with first year retention. Each unit increase in STEM credits attempted reduced the odds of persistence past the first year. Secondly, performance in college level math, introductory laboratory science and STEM courses plays an important role in determining students’ level of academic achievement in non-STEM fields. Lastly, females reach higher levels of academic achievement after leaving the STEM fields when compared to males

The sinus tarsi approach in displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures: a systematic review

Purpose: Although open reduction and internal fixation is currently considered the gold standard in surgical treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures, various different approaches exist including the limited lateral approach. The aim of this systematic review was to combine the results of studies using the sinus tarsi approach, which is the most frequently applied limited lateral approach. Method: A literature search in the electronic databases of the Cochrane Library and Pubmed Medline, between January 1st 2000 to December 1st 2010, was conducted to identify studies in which the sinus tarsi approach or a modified sinus tarsi approach was utilized for the treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Coleman methodology score. Results: A total of eight case series reporting on 256 patients with 271 calcaneal fractures was identified. Overall good to excellent outcome was reached in three-quarters of all patients. An average complication rate of minor wound complications of 4.1% was reported and major wound complications in 0.7%. The need for a secondary subtalar arthrodesis occurred at an average rate of 4.3%. The average Coleman methodology score was 56.8 (range 39-72) points. Conclusion: The results, i.e. functional outcome and complication rates, of the sinus tarsi approach compare similarly or favourably to the extended lateral approach. Therefore, in the process of tailoring the best treatment modality to the right patient and the right fracture type, the sinus tarsi approach might be a valuable asset

Radiographic evaluation of calcaneal fractures: To measure or not to measure

Objective: The aim of this study was to correlate the functional outcome after treatment for displaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture with plain radiography. Design: The design was a prognostic study of a retrospective cohort with concurrent follow-up. Patients: A total of 33 patients with a unilateral calcaneal fracture and a minimum follow-up of 13 months participated. Patients filled in three disease-specific questionnaires, graded their satisfaction and the indication for an arthrodesis was noted. Standardised radiographs were made of the previously injured side and the normal (control) side. Different angles and distances were measured on these radiographs and compared with values described in the literature. The differences in values in angles and distances between the injured and uninjured (control) foot were correlated with the outcome of the questionnaires, and the indication for an arthrodesis. Results: None of the angles correlated with the disease-specific outcome scores. Of the angles only the tibiotalar angle correlated with the VAS (r=0.35, p=0.045) and only the absolute foot height correlated with the indication for an arthrodesis (odds=0.70, CI=0.50-0.99). Conclusion: In this study the radiographic evaluation correlated poorly with the final outcome. Measurements on plain radiographs seem not to be useful in determining outcome after intra-articular calcaneal fractures